Bishop Brendan J. Cahill urges policy upholding migrants' dignity

Bishop Brendan J. Cahill is calling on United States officials and lawmakers to create policies that protect the dignity of migrants and prevent families from being separated. Bishop Cahill, who serves as the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, issued the statement on September 16 to mark National Migration Week, which runs from September 21 to 27, 2026.

In his statement, Bishop Cahill emphasized the need to protect the dignity of migrants, particularly children. He noted that the Church has a long history of caring for migrant and refugee children, citing the work of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini and her sisters as well as modern diocesan charities that provide support to families.

Bishop Cahill currently leads the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, but Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced on September 17 that Pope Leo XIV has named him the new bishop of Joliet, Illinois. National Migration Week concludes with the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.