March 20, 2025

"The Church is called to walk together, to be synodal. Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters. Journeying together means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God." — Pope Francis

Member Content

CMSM has a compilation of JPIC resources available for JPIC coordinators or leaders of communities in the Member Content area of our website. If you are interested in gaining access to these resources, please email David Rohrer Budiash (drohrerbudiash@cmsm.org) for instructions on how to sign up.

CMSM Member Responses to U.S. Immigration Changes

CMSM is monitoring the responses of our member communities on the recent changes to immigration policy in the United States. We have compiled a few below. If your community has made a statement, please share it with us by emailing Greta David, CMSM’s Director of Communications, at gdavid@cmsm.org.



We will continue to track these responses on our website.

News

The Catholic Relief Services Collection Strengthens Bishops’ Mission to the Vulnerable at Home and Abroad


The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced that the annual Catholic Relief Services Collection will be held on March 29-30, 2025. This collection supports six Church-related entities that provide aid to vulnerable populations worldwide, including Catholic Relief Services, the USCCB's Secretariats of Cultural Diversity and Justice and Peace, Migration & Refugee Services, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), and the Holy Father's Relief Fund. The USCCB emphasizes the urgent need for donations this year due to recent federal funding suspensions affecting refugee resettlement and foreign humanitarian aid programs, which have led to layoffs and hindered assistance efforts. Contributions are vital to continue these ministries and to uphold the Church's mission to care for those in need.


Read more here.


Laudato Si' Action Platform Transition


As the Laudato Si’ Action Platform enters its fourth year of service to Pope Francis, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development thanks Mr. John Mundell for serving as Director of the Platform. The leadership of the platform will now transition to Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo.


Read more here.


“Walking with Moms” Puts the Gospel of Life into Action, says Bishop Thomas


Bishop Thomas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, offered an update for the 5th anniversary of Walking with Moms in Need.


“Since the launch of Walking with Moms in Need, Catholics in dioceses and parishes across the country have put the Gospel of Life into action, uniting in a shared mission to surround pregnant and parenting mothers in need with loving support and personal accompaniment. Heroic volunteers have stepped forward to make our parishes places where a mother can be connected with meaningful resources and assistance and, most importantly, know that she and her baby are not alone."


Read more here.


Refugee Resettlement and the Catholic Church


In a recent episode of the Catholic Current podcast, guest Bill Canny, Executive Director of the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, discusses the important work of the Catholic Church in resettling refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.


Click here to listen and access more resources.


Christians, Muslims can speak out against injustice, proclaim beauty of diversity, Vatican says


In a message for Ramadan, Vatican officials have called on Christians and Muslims to foster fraternity, justice, and mutual respect through dialogue. Highlighting shared values such as compassion and respect for creation, the letter emphasizes building bridges, rejecting exclusion, and working together toward a hopeful future.


Read more here. Read the letter here.


US bishops to appeal loss in fight with Trump administration over refugee funding


A federal judge has denied the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) request to compel the Trump administration to reinstate its refugee resettlement contracts and reimburse approximately $13 million in expenses. Judge Trevor McFadden ruled that the court lacks the authority to order the government to honor these terminated contracts. In response, the USCCB is appealing the decision to the District of Columbia Circuit Court, aiming to secure the owed funds and continue their refugee resettlement efforts. 


Read the full message here. 

Events

Laudato Si’ Action Platform: Practical Ways to Teach an Ecological Spirituality

  • Thursday, March 27 at 10:00 am ET
  • Register here.

2025 Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference: Love in Action

  • October 18-20, 2025, in Washington, DC
  • More information is available here.

Contact CMSM JPIC


Dr. David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs & Managing Editor, Review for Religious

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace  

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