«Americans should not forget that we all come from immigrant families»: it is from this awareness that the cardinal archbishop of Chicago, Blase Cupich, friend of Pope Leo XIV (in the photo above during the meeting in the Vatican on 9 October, ed), openly criticized the restrictive migration policies adopted by Donald Trump, underlining in a video message released by the US diocese that “families are destroyed”, children are “abandoned”, communities are “shaken by raids and detentions”, and in this situation “the Church is at the side of migrants”.
A very clear stance that comes after the White House sent agents of the Iimmigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) to hunt down illegal migrants.
Cupich’s words are important if we consider that the cardinal is close to Prevost who received him in audience a few days ago. Furthermore, Leo has just appointed Blase Cupich, considered one of the leading exponents of the liberal episcopate of the United States, to the Papal Commission of Vatican City.
Cupich, of Croatian origin, recently awarded a Democratic senator, Dick Durbin, an award for his commitment to migrants, arousing criticism from the Catholic far right. Conservative and pro-life Catholics vehemently criticized this decision, citing the Democratic politician’s support for abortion. Durbin then renounced the prize, but in the meantime the Pope himself intervened and responded to the criticism by explaining that “those who say they are against abortion but in favor of the death penalty are not truly pro-life”.
«My dear brothers and sisters», Cardinal Cupich now states in the video message, «Today I speak to you as your pastor, but also as a fellow pilgrim who shares the pain of many of our immigrant communities. Families are being destroyed. Children are abandoned to fear and communities are shaken by raids and detentions. These actions hurt the soul of our city. I want to be clear. The Church stands alongside migrants. We stand alongside the mother who crosses borders to feed her children. We are alongside the father who works in silence to build a better future. We stand alongside the young person who dreams of security and a better future. Our parishes and schools will not turn away those seeking comfort and we will not remain silent when dignity is denied in the enforcement of the law. It is essential that we respect the dignity of every human being».
«Now», Cupich continues, «I would like to say something directly to those undocumented immigrants. Many of you have been here for years. You have worked hard. You have raised families. You have contributed to this nation. You have earned our respect. As Archbishop of Chicago I will insist that you be treated with dignity. Americans should not forget that we all come from immigrant families. You are our brothers and sisters. We are at your side. God bless you all.”
The message was transcribed on the website of the Archdiocese of Chicago in English and Spanish, the mother tongue of the Latin American migrants who were the main target of the crackdown decided by the White House and was also posted on social media, from X to YouTube, with subtitles.
