What does the Catholic Church teach?
The Catholic Church teaches that immigration is a human reality that must be met with charity rooted in the Gospel and the Church’s social doctrine. Nations may regulate borders, but they must do so justly and humanely, guaranteeing due process, protecting families, avoiding punitive detention, and always prioritizing the dignity of the poorest and most vulnerable.
- The Right to Migrate
-
"The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him." (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2241a)
- The Right to Enforce Limits on Immigration
-
"Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens." (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2241b)
Local Material Support
Parish Food Pantries
Our food pantries are experiencing an influx of requests at this time and are in need of donations. Contact the location nearest you for assistance or to see how you can donate and/or serve.
- Crown Point
-
St. Mary: 321 E. Joliet St., Crown Point
We are open the third Saturday of each month from 8:00-10:00 a.m. We are not exclusive to Crown Point. Our clients come from surrounding communities as well.
- Dyer
-
St. Maria Goretti: 500 Northgate Dr., Dyer
Open the 2nd Tuesday of every month. For information, call or email Bridget Cook, Pastoral Associate for Community Building and Outreach, at 219-865-5481 or at BridgetC@smgdyer.org
- LaPorte
-
Sacred Heart Food Pantry: 130 Bach St., LaPorte
Non-perishable foods, monetary donations and personal care items for La Porte residents needing assistance every Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. Contact Louanne Kuzdas kuzdas@frontier.com or 219-575-8056.
- Merrillville
-
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs: 8303 Taft Street, Merrillville
Those in need of food can receive it on the second Thursday of each month. If you are in need of assistance or would like to volunteer, please call 219-769-2177. Food donations can dropped off at the OLC Parish Office.
- Michigan City
-
Sacred Heart Food Pantry: 326 W. 10th St., Michigan City
Sacred Heart Food Pantry can be visited once a month per family. Proof of residency is required. Open Wednesday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m and Friday 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Portage
-
Nativity of Our Savior: 2949 Willowcreek Rd., Portage
Open the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please do not line up before 8:30 a.m. Donations of non-perishable food items are welcomed and can be dropped off at the church.
- St. John
-
St. John the Evangelist: 11311 School St., St. John
Open every Tuesday from 9 am -12 pm for those in need of food or hygiene products.
If you or someone you know requires immediate assistance, please get in touch with the Parish Office at 219-365-5678 or by email at serve@stjohnparish.org.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Food and utility assistance. Please contact the location closest to you. More detailed information can be found here.
- Cedar Lake
-
Holy Name
219-374-8800 - Crown Point
-
Holy Spirit
219-662-7424 - Gary
-
St. Ann
219-924-4163 - Hammond
-
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
219-845-7531St. Casimir
219-933-0100St. John Bosco
219-844-2975St. Joseph
219-933-9504 - Highland
-
St. James the Less
219-650-2152 - Hobart
-
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
219-962-1073St. Bridget
219-942-6441 - Knox
-
St. Thomas Aquinas
574-772-4134 - LaPorte
-
Holy Family (St. Joseph)
219-362-9595 - Lowell
-
St. Edward
219-696-7307 - Munster
-
St. Thomas More
219-836-8610 - North Judson
-
Ss. Cyril and Methodius
574-249-0162 - Portage
-
Nativity of Our Savior
219-763-3263 - St. John
-
St. John the Evangelist
219-323-5205 - Valparaiso
-
Our Lady of Sorrows
219-759-3480St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
219-464-1624St. Paul
219-263-8142 - Wanatah
-
Sacred Heart
219-733-2955 - Whiting
-
Sacred Heart
219-659-1073
Additional resources are available from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) including information regarding available legal sources and knowing your rights when interacting with law enforcement.
February 16, 2025
Brothers and Sisters,
As we journey together, we must always remain ever attentive to the needs of one another. In these uncertain times, my thoughts and prayers are especially with our migrant brothers and sisters who face immense hardships in their search for safety and dignity. As members of the Church, we are called to live as one family, bound by love and compassion, supporting each other in times of distress. Pope Francis reminds us that each of us is created in God’s image and likeness, compelling us to treat one another with the utmost respect, dignity and kindness – as if we are encountering Christ. In a February 10 letter to the United States Bishops, Pope Francis cites the words with which Pope Pius XII began his Apostolic Constitution on the Care of Migrants:
"The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands." (Exsul Familia Nazarethana, Apostolic Constitution, Pope Pius XII – 1952)
Like Mary and Joseph, there are people in our communities who have left their homeland in search of safety. These people are often devoted, faith-filled members of our parishes and schools who have enriched our communities in numerous ways.
This issue is not an easy one to navigate. As expressed by Archbishop Thompson, the local Church in Indiana supports “meaningful reforms that affirm the desire of so many migrants who wish to contribute fruitfully to society.” (Read his full statement here). We must advocate for change that protects the vulnerable while addressing security through well-regulated borders and just limits on immigration. As Pope Francis states: “one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival.”
The Executive Director of the Indiana Catholic Conference, Alexander Mingus, on behalf of the bishops of Indiana, promotes and reports on public policy through the lens of the Catholic Church. In a recent statement on the heightened enforcement of immigration policy he noted that “the men and women and children who are really suffering and who are in great need of loving care” may be “(subject to) immigration enforcement that does not meaningfully advance public safety for Hoosiers or our immigrant brothers and sisters.” (Read the full news article here).
As we reflect on the Holy Father’s Letter to the Bishops of the United States let us turn to the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe to pray that our immigrant brothers and sisters may find strength and remain hopeful in these difficult times.
Let us remain Pilgrims of Hope and Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Your servant,
Most Reverend Robert J. McClory
Bishop
Diocese of Gary
During these uncertain and challenging times, we can accompany our immigrant brothers and sisters in prayer but in practical ways as well. Below is a collection of relevant articles and resources:
VATICAN:
UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS:
INDIANA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE:
BISHOP STATEMENTS
- Updated daily by Justice for Immigrants
CATHOLIC LEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORK
Hermanas y Hermanos,
Mientras caminamos juntos, debemos permanecer siempre atentos a las necesidades de los demás. En estos tiempos de incertidumbre, mi pensamiento y mis oraciones están especialmente con nuestras hermanas y hermanos migrantes, que afrontan inmensas dificultades en su búsqueda de seguridad y dignidad. Como miembros de la Iglesia, estamos llamados a vivir como una sola familia, unidos por el amor y la compasión, apoyándonos unos a otros en tiempos de angustia. El Papa Francisco nos recuerda que cada uno de nosotros ha sido creado a imagen y semejanza de Dios, lo que nos obliga a tratarnos unos a otros con el máximo respeto, dignidad y amabilidad, como si nos encontráramos con Cristo. En una carta del 10 de febrero a los obispos de los Estados Unidos, el Papa Francisco cita las palabras con las que el Papa Pío XII comenzó su Constitución Apostólica sobre la Atención a los Emigrantes:
“La familia de Nazaret en el exilio, Jesús, María y José, emigrantes en Egipto y refugiados allí para escapar de la ira de un rey impío, son el modelo, el ejemplo y el consuelo de los emigrantes y peregrinos de toda época y país, de todos los refugiados de cualquier condición que, acosados por la persecución o la necesidad, se ven obligados a dejar su patria, su amada familia y sus queridos amigos por tierras extranjeras.” (Exsul Familia Nazarethana, Constitución Apostólica, Papa Pío XII - 1952)
Como María y José, hay personas en nuestras comunidades que han dejado su patria en busca de seguridad. Estas personas son a menudo miembros devotos y llenos de fe de nuestras parroquias y escuelas que han enriquecido nuestras comunidades de numerosas maneras.
Esta cuestión no es fácil de abordar. Como expresó el arzobispo Thompson, la Iglesia local de Indiana apoya «reformas significativas que afirmen el deseo de tantos inmigrantes que desean contribuir fructíferamente a la sociedad.” (Lea su declaración completa aquí. Debemos abogar por un cambio que proteja a los vulnerables y, al mismo tiempo, aborde la seguridad a través de fronteras bien reguladas y límites justos a la inmigración. Como afirma el Papa Francisco "hay que reconocer el derecho de una nación a defenderse y mantener a salvo a las comunidades de quienes han cometido delitos violentos o graves durante su estancia en el país o antes de su llegada.”
El Director Ejecutivo de la Conferencia Católica de Indiana, Alexander Mingus, en nombre de los obispos de Indiana, promueve e informa sobre la política pública a través del prisma de la Iglesia católica. En una reciente declaración sobre la intensificación de la aplicación de la política de inmigración, señaló que «los hombres, mujeres y niños que realmente están sufriendo y que tienen una gran necesidad de atención amorosa» pueden ser “(objeto de) una aplicación de la ley de inmigración que no avanza significativamente la seguridad pública para los Hoosiers o nuestros hermanos y hermanas inmigrantes.” (Lea el artículo completo aquí).
Mientras reflexionamos sobre la Carta del Santo Padre a los Obispos de los Estados Unidos, acudamos a la poderosa intercesión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe para rezar para que nuestras hermanas y hermanos inmigrantes encuentren fortaleza y mantengan la esperanza en estos tiempos difíciles.
Sigamos siendo Peregrinos de la Esperanza y Discípulos Misioneros de Jesucristo, nuestro Señor y Salvador.
Su servidor,
Reverendísimo Robert J. McClory
Obispo
Diócesis de Gary
En estos tiempos inciertos y difíciles, podemos acompañar a nuestras hermanas y hermanos inmigrantes en la oración, pero también de forma práctica. A continuación, encontrará una recopilación de artículos y recursos relevantes:
VATICANO:
USCCB:
CONFERENCIA CATÓLICA DE INDIANA:
DECLARACIONES DE OBISPOS
RED CATÓLICA DE INMIGRACIÓN LEGAL