February 20, 2025

"The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable." — Pope Francis

Featured image: OSV News photo/courtesy of Fr. Christopher Iwancio, OFM Cap.

Capuchins Provide Outreach in LA Using Their Food Truck

In response to the recent Los Angeles fires, the Capuchin Franciscan Friars mobilized their "Capuchin Family Kitchen" food truck to provide meals to evacuees and first responders. In just ten days, they served around 4,000 meals. They collaborated with World Central Kitchen to set up a distribution site at St. Francis High School. After serving the immediate needs of those impacted by the fires, the Friars have resumed their normal outreach efforts to the homeless population in LA while still serving those impacted by the fires. The Friars have been distributing personal protective equipment and air purifiers, among other things, to help displaced LA residents. 

Read more here.

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.

Policy Notes

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and the Catholic Church 

Click here to access an explainer about the U.S. Refugee Admission Program from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Department of Migration and Refugee Services.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network - Know Your Rights

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network has a resource on its website outlining the Constitutional rights and protections for all individuals, including undocumented individuals. 

Click here to access the resources from CLINIC.

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.

• Franciscan Friars - Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Statement
• Action Guide
• Maryknoll Global Concerns
• The Passionists of the Holy Cross Province

We will continue to track these responses on our website.

Letter of the Holy Father to the Bishops of the United States of America

On Tuesday, February 11, Pope Francis released a letter to the Bishops of the United States. In his letter, the Holy Father writes about the current political climate in the United States and the duty of the Church during these times.

“I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters. With charity and clarity we are all called to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer together, to avoid walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all.” — Pope Francis

Read the letter here.

Archbishop Broglio Responds to Letter from Pope Francis

Archbishop Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, responded to Pope Francis’ Letter to the Bishops of the United States of America. Archbishop Broglio expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for his prayers and solidarity with the United States during this concerning time. In his letter Archbishop Broglio wrote, “In these times of fear and confusion, we must be ready to answer our Savior’s question, ‘what have you done for the least of these?’” 

Read the full text of the letter here.

Message from the Holy Father to participants in the 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pope Francis sent a message to the 2025 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering participants. In his message, he said that he hopes the gathering will be a sign of unity. He encouraged the participants to continue being “protagonists of history” through their service to those in need. 

Read the full message here. 

Bishops’ Migration Chair Invites Vance to Dialogue Over Church’s Work With Migrants

In response to Vice President JD Vance's recent remarks questioning the U.S. bishops' motives in criticizing new immigration policies, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, has extended an invitation to Vance for a dialogue to address these concerns. 

Read more here.

Contact CMSM JPIC

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

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace