Archbishop Broglio to Trump: Protect, don’t persecute those in need
Vatican news
Facing a wave of executive orders from the new Trump administration, the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference says the gospel tells us we encounter Jesus in those in need — and that we will be judged by how we respond.
By Christopher Wells
With a series of executive orders, new US President Donald Trump is poised to radically change the federal government’s approach on a range of issues, from migrants and refugees to foreign aid, from the use of the death penalty to the environment.
In a statement Wednesday, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was concerned that many provisions in Trump’s orders “are deeply troubling and will have consequences negative” and “will harm the most vulnerable among us”. ” while recognizing that others could be seen “in a more positive light”.
Speaking to Vatican News on Friday, Archbishop Broglio explained that “the concern of my brother bishops and myself is that those who need it most, especially in a country that has enormous possibilities” should not being “left behind”, or worse, “persecuted” because of their particular situation.
Human dignity is fundamental
He stressed that although political reality may require “a kind of compromise”, the dignity of the human person is not subject to discussion. Referring to the March for Life that took place in the national capital on Friday, he said, “It is essentially an affirmation of the dignity of the human person, from the moment of conception to his natural death. It’s fundamental. It’s really non-negotiable.
When asked how the Church could contribute to the ongoing public debate, Bishop Broglio insisted: “We offer above all the Gospel, which says that we encounter Jesus Christ in the person who needs us – and furthermore, that we will be judged based on how we responded to these concrete situations.
Concretely, he highlighted the vast network of Catholic humanitarian organizations which help people in difficult situations. “We want to make these opportunities available to those who need them most,” he said.
He said the Church in America will continue to take this “two-pronged” approach in the coming weeks and months: first, “continue to teach the gospel and try to negotiate as much as possible to achieve change”; then “act concretely in front of our brother or sister who is in need”.
Vatican News: Monsignor, thank you for being with us this afternoon. Following a series of actions by the new President of the United States, you issued a statement expressing some, some deep concern about some of the provisions contained in President Trump’s new executive orders, particularly on issues such as immigrants and refugees, the way they are treated in the United States, the extension of the death penalty, the effects of climate change. And you suggested that some of these actions could harm the most vulnerable among us. Could you expand on this?
Bishop Timothy Broglio: Yes. The concern of my brother, the bishops and myself is that those who need it most, especially in a country with enormous opportunities, are not left behind, or worse, that they are not not persecuted because of their situation.
There is therefore a great concern to protect those who are sick, to protect children who could be American citizens, but whose parents still are, whose legal situation has still not been regularized; to protect those who might flee domestic situations in which it is impossible for them to truly move forward.
And I think our answer is twofold. First, protect those who are already there, and (second) urge the government to use the enormous resources we have to try to improve some of these situations in less advantaged countries so that people don’t have the same desire to leave to find a better life at home rather than run the risk of all that migrating to a new country and situation entails.
Q. Can you talk about what the Catholic Church and Christians in the United States, as well as other believers, can offer specifically regarding public debate and public action on these issues?
Above all, we offer the Gospel, which says that we encounter Jesus Christ in the person who needs us and, furthermore, that we will be judged by how we responded to these concrete situations. This is something we are proposing.
A second thing we’re proposing is that we have a wonderful network – of Catholic charities, of migration services that respond to people in these difficult situations – and we want to make these opportunities available to those who have the opportunity. no longer needed.
And I think it’s also important to emphasize that we are not advocating that the law be broken. We advocate that the needs of those in need be met and that there be reform of immigration law in this country which, I think everyone will agree, is in desperate need of modernization.
Q. And in that general context, President Trump’s executive orders, some of the actions of his first days in office – and the response to them – are evidence or examples of great polarization in our country, in the United States. United, and something that Pope Francis talked about a lot about. Today begins the Jubilee for the world of communication. Is there a way in which the Church can encourage dialogue, facilitate communication between people who seem to have very little to say to each other?
Well, we’ve been trying for several years to encourage the notion of civil discourse, which is that two people can disagree, but that doesn’t mean they can’t talk to each other and they can’t try to argue. rationally explain their positions and why they believe what they believe.
Unfortunately, in the United States this has often become a dialogue of the deaf – with all due respect to those who are hard of hearing – but it seems we are unwilling to listen to anyone else.
And the bishops have repeatedly called for engaging in civil discourse, listening to one another and never forgetting the dignity of those in front of them. He or she is also created in the image and likeness of God. And we can never forget it.
Q: In the context of your statement, sort of keeping with this idea of division, you especially note that the Church is not currently and has never been aligned with any political party in the United States. Is there any room, with some of the issues that you raise (all relating to fundamental questions of human dignity), is there any room for compromise at a political and societal level on some of these issues?
Well, I think…dialogue will probably always lead to some sort of compromise. But obviously, you see something like the dignity of the human person, it’s really not up for discussion.
Later this afternoon (ed. Friday, January 24), we will participate in a March for Life. It is essentially an affirmation of the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death. It’s fundamental. This is really non-negotiable. I cannot discriminate against a person in need because of their ancestry. I must meet this need. And so I think we can discuss how we do that. But I don’t think we can argue that we do it.
Q. Some of the issues we have talked about have been very important issues for Pope Francis, both in his teaching magisterium and in his calls for concrete actions. Can you tell us, as the Church moves forward in the years to come, does the USCCB and the Church in America have any specific, concrete ideas about what we can do in the future?
We want to continue to reach out and educate people about what the Church teaches.
We also wish to continue our efforts, both at the governmental level and in terms of a practical response to the situation of people in need. We will continue to do so. Our Catholic charities are not going to close their doors.
So I think it’s a two-pronged approach. The first is to continue teaching the gospel and try to negotiate as much as possible for change. And then the second thing is also to act concretely in front of our brother or sister who is in need.
Q. And one last question. More generally, the United States, as a very powerful and very wealthy nation, has an impact on the rest of the world. As the situation in the United States evolves, how do you see America’s role in the context of the global common good, the global problems that everyone faces?
I think we should always maintain a position of leadership, because we have so many possibilities, and I hope it will be leadership in how to react to concrete situations rather than leadership in how not to answer…. But I hope we will be a force for good.
And as has so often been the case, we might be able to use our strength and resources to make the world a better place and address some of those global issues that Pope Francis has called us to make a difference on. And I think a country like the United States can make a difference. At least that’s my sincerest hope.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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