Prophetic Words

Bishop Michael Pham of San Diego urged the Trump administration to stop detaining families and children during a webinar on September 29. Speaking at the event, Pham called for an end to family separation and the detention of unaccompanied children. He described sending children to unfamiliar countries as cruel and stated that separating parents from their children leaves a moral stain on the nation.

Pham's comments followed public appearances by at least five U.S. Catholic bishops last week to denounce immigration enforcement operations that led to record detentions over the summer. These leaders spoke as the administration shifted its strategy toward partnerships with local law enforcement. Additionally, the U.S. bishops' conference and several other bishops released statements on September 27 for the Vatican's 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which used the theme "Even just one of these children."