Migration

“It is necessary to respond to the globalization of migration with the globalization of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane. At the same time, greater efforts are needed to guarantee the easing of conditions, often brought about by war or famine, which compel whole peoples to leave their native countries.”

﹣Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, September 3, 2014.

The Catholic Church upholds the right of people to migrate to flee oppression and poverty, calling people of faith to support and assist those who migrate in order to live in dignity and peace and to flourish as humans made in the image of God.

Migrant family at asylum rally in Nogales, Mexico

A migrant family shares their story during a rally for access to asylum at the US-Mexico border in 2021.

Discover a rich collection of resources that address the complex and pressing issue of migration through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. These materials highlight the Church’s commitment to the dignity of every human person, the call to solidarity, and the responsibility to welcome the stranger and protect the vulnerable.

On this page, you’ll find:

  • Prayers and Reflections: Spiritual tools inspired by Scripture and Catholic tradition to guide compassionate responses to the challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and displaced persons.
  • Educational Resources: Lesson plans, discussion guides, and classroom activities designed to explore the moral and ethical dimensions of migration.
  • Multimedia Content: Videos, articles, and infographics that bring the stories of migrants to life and highlight the Church’s teaching on justice, human dignity, and hospitality.
  • Advocacy Tools: Practical resources to support advocacy for humane migration policies and to foster community actions that uphold the rights and dignity of migrants.

These resources provide a comprehensive understanding of migration as a critical issue in today’s world, inviting educators, faith leaders, and advocates to reflect, learn, and act. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, they inspire individuals and communities to stand in solidarity with migrants and work toward a more just and compassionate society.

Alabama Immigration Law Threatens Free Exercise of Religion

Alabama has passed a law that would make it a crime to knowingly assist an illegal immigrant by providing them a ride, a job, a place to live or any other kind of social assistance, including...
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People of God on the Move: Catholic Immigration in the U.S.

Since the 1840s, immigration to the U.S. was increasingly from Catholic countries, beginning with the Irish Famine, continuing with displaced persons from Eastern Europe after World War II and with...
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Prayer for Those Who Migrate

Mapping Migration - An Interactive Look at Peoples on the Move

This series of interactive maps provides an overview of where people are moving to as refugees and asylum seekers.  The map displays sending countries and receiving countries.

Under the Same Moon

Under the Same Moon provides a perspective on immigration that no one is likely to get from reading the newspapers or watching the evening news: immigrants have faces, names, and families; they are...
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Arizona Immigration Law and Catholic Teaching

The state of Arizona recently passed immigration reform that allows local police to initiate an investigation when they suspect a person may not be legally residing in the state.  Many,...
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Prayer for Migrant Children

Prayer Service
Pope Benedict’s 2010 Message for Migrant and Refugee Day focuses on the plight of migrant children around the world.  While this day is officially celebrated on January 17, the Pope released his...
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The Visitor

Immigration and Hospitality In a world of six billion people, it only takes one to change your life.  This film is an engaging look of what happens to the dynamics of hospitality and welcome in a...
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One Border One Body

The Liturgy is a place where we seek to transcend all borders, all division. The film, "One Border One Body" looks at the issue of immigration from a sacramental perspective. This film invites not...
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Immigration and the Question of Security

Since 9/11, the use of fear to justify everything from the erosion of rights to the dehumanization of peoples coming to the U.S. has been dangerously effective.  This article looks at what...
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The Invisible Chapel

This film guide provides an excellent forum to explore immigration in a recent documentary. For over twenty years a migrant chapel remained invisible to the wealthy residents of a San Diego, CA...
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U.S. Bishops on Speak Out on Immigration

April 2008.  This three-page resource highlights recent statements and responses by U.S. Catholic Bishops to developments on the national and local levels regarding immigration policy. This...
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