A wave of apprehension is sweeping through immigrant communities nationwide, fueled by recent, large-scale deportations. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, voiced deep concern Sunday, describing a palpable sense of fear gripping families and disrupting lives.
Coakley, speaking on CBS News, emphasized a fundamental right: the ability to live without constant fear. He asserted that security and dignity are not mutually exclusive, and that respecting national borders doesn’t necessitate abandoning compassion or basic human rights.
Catholic social teaching, Coakley explained, recognizes both the right to remain in one’s homeland and the necessity to seek refuge elsewhere when safety is compromised. This principle underscores the church’s longstanding commitment to welcoming those fleeing persecution or hardship.
While often aligned with social conservatives, Coakley has consistently challenged President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. He highlighted a disturbing trend: declining attendance at Mass in some parishes, directly attributed to fear of immigration raids.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a strong rebuke of the administration’s mass deportation agenda, condemning the “vilification” of migrants and the resulting anxiety within communities. They expressed particular concern over restricted access to pastoral care for those detained.
This message of concern was powerfully endorsed by Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Ronald Hicks, the newly appointed archbishop of New York. The Pope has previously challenged the notion of pro-life stances that do not extend to the humane treatment of immigrants.
Coakley defended the bishops’ statement, explaining it was intended to offer reassurance during a time of heightened anxiety. He noted the particularly acute fear in areas with large immigrant populations, exacerbated by inflammatory rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.
The archbishop stressed that immigration policy must be rooted in respect for human dignity, a principle he described as “foundational.” He firmly stated that a person’s legal status does not diminish their inherent worth, and that the ends never justify inhumane means.
Coakley’s message is a powerful reminder that compassion and justice must be central to any discussion of immigration. It’s a call for a system that upholds both the rule of law and the fundamental dignity of every human being, regardless of their origin or legal status.
The bishops’ unified voice reflects a growing concern that the current approach is not only unjust but also deeply damaging to the fabric of communities across the nation, creating a climate of fear and eroding trust.
