Join the Conversation
Send your thoughts to Letters to the Editor. Learn more
A press release:
SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- The U.S. Secular Franciscan Order declared its “solidarity with migrants in our midst” during its national gathering Oct. 29 at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
The national body, representing 14,000 Secular Franciscans across the United States, unanimously approved a statement declaring “some current harsh attitudes towards migration” as intolerable and deploring “the fear and anxiety paralyzing our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
“As Franciscans, we intentionally chose to come to Arizona to stand in solidarity with the migrants in our midst,” the statement reads.
The statement goes on to say:
- “We endorse the United States Catholic Bishops’ urgent call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, including their strong support for the DREAM act.”
- “We support and encourage all the humanitarian efforts to assist immigrants who are struggling to survive.”
- “We pray for peace and harmony, and we always remember in prayer families who are being torn apart.”
The Secular Franciscan Order is an order of single and married Catholics, both lay and ordained, who profess to bring the Gospel to life in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.