KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte participated in “Deepening Our Moral Witness,” a regional gathering in eastern Tennessee hosted by the dioceses of Knoxville and Lexington and the Hope Border Institute.
Six bishops met with diocesan and immigrant non-profit leaders Sept. 30 to discuss ongoing immigration enforcement actions, Church teaching on migration and best practices to support migrants affected by mass deportation policies.
The Charlotte diocese’s Communications Director Liz Chandler, Hispanic Media Coordinator Brian Segovia and Hispanic Ministry Director Steven Samol participated in seminars on local and global Church initiatives defending the dignity of migrants, immigrant testimonies, effective communication strategies, and diocesan and parish planning.
Diocesan leaders from across the South donned pins with the message “We Stand with Immigrants” and joined a press conference led by the bishops of Knoxville, Lexington and Memphis where they spoke in support of migrants.
“We have a responsibility to care for the dignity of each and every human person and to respect the rights and due process that are due to citizens and anyone who lives on U.S. soil,’ said
Knoxville Bishop Mark Beckman. “What we see needs a response not only of compassion, but also of justice. Let’s work together today to build a world where everyone has a home.”
Samol said the press conference was a powerful example of the Church’s prophetic voice on the moral issue of human dignity.
“What challenged me was not necessarily a change in my concern for migrants, but a deeper understanding that the Church’s response must begin with the person, not the policy,” Samol said.
Samol saw the conference as a calling to dive deeper into learning about the immigrant experience in the diocese.
“These are not anonymous statistics. They are parishioners, volunteers, parents, friends and neighbors. Sharing their stories can help our communities recognize the human impact of these realities and encourage greater solidarity and prayerful support,” Samol said. “Migrants are not an issue to be managed, but members of the human family.”
— Catholic News Herald
