Sisters Issue Statement on Immigration

VILLA MARIA, Pa. ‒ In the spring of 1864, the entire congregation of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary left behind their lives in France to immigrate to the United States in response to a request from Father Louis Hoffer, a French missionary in Louisville, Ohio, who needed sisters to serve his French-speaking parishioners.

In light of their community’s beginnings as immigrants to this country, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary approved the following statement on immigration at their recent Chapter of Affairs:

“As a community of women religious who were welcomed to the United States as immigrants we, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, support refugees and immigrants from all countries. For more than 150 years, we have ministered alongside refugees, immigrants, and migrants. As citizens of the United States, we recognize that our diverse cultures and nationalities are an integral part of our heritage and the foundation of our democracy. As members of the human family, we echo Pope Francis who reminds us that, ‘migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all.’

In response to the recent refugee ban, increased deportations, and anti-immigrant sentiments, we, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, commit ourselves to act with others on behalf of refugees, immigrants, and migrants by:

• deepening our awareness and understanding of policies and legislation which affect them;
• using our resources to help meet their needs for shelter, education, healthcare, protection, mentoring, and advocacy;
• calling on elected officials to enact comprehensive legislation and humane immigration policies that promote: a path to citizenship, the rights of migrant children, family unification, protection from unjust and inhumane detention and treatment of undocumented workers and other persons, control of our borders through compassionate initiatives, and equal access to the US refugee resettlement program regardless of ethnic and religious background.

We, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, join with others in prayer as we call upon concerned citizens to advocate for immigration policies that continue to promote the United States as a beacon of hope for our diverse, global community.”