A non-partisan statement from the AUSCP adds the voice of the largest association of Catholic priests in the United States to the prophetic words of Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who asked President Donald J. Trump to have mercy on immigrants and their families.
The AUSCP joins the U.S. bishops as a conference and those individual bishops who are united in praying for mercy and fairness. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, USCCB president expressed concern about “Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees.”
Archbishop John Wester of Albuquerque said, “Mass deportation is not the answer” but what is needed is “Thoughtful, bipartisan and prudent comprehensive immigration reform.”
The statement from Rev. Stephen P. Newton, AUSCP executive director, on behalf of the association, offers direct support of Bishop Budde’s request to President Trump to show mercy.
The text of the AUSCP statement follows.
Catholic Priests support Episcopal Bishop Budde: Show Mercy to the fearful
For immediate release • January 23, 2025
The Association of US Catholic Priests is grateful to Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for her prophetic words and challenge to the Trump Administration to have empathy for all people, especially those most marginalized in American society. Her words were denigrated by the president and even by ministers who support him. Therefore, we feel called to state as clearly as we can that we agree fully with the good bishop’s words (emphasis added):
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President… In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.
“There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.
“And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the nightshifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, and temples.
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those that are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands, to find compassion and welcome here.
“Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”
We, leaders and members of the AUSCP offer this prayer:
May these noble words be heard throughout our nation.
Contact:
Rev. Stephen P. Newton CSC, AUSCP Executive Director auscpexdiR@gmail.com
Rev. Neil Pezzulo, Glenmary Home Missioners, Leadership Chair npezzulo@glenmary.org
AUSCP Office office@auscp.org
Website: https://auscp.org
Paul Leingang, auscp.communications@gmail.com