January 23, 2025

In times of uncertainty, let us place our hope and trust in the Lord. Amid division and hardship in the United States, hope invites us to trust in God’s providence and the resilience of the human spirit. It is not passive; it compels us to act with compassion, courage, and a commitment to justice, reflecting Christ’s love.

Featured image: Fr. Brad Mills, SJ, celebrates Mass in the Sonoran Desert

Jesuits Search for Migrants’ Remains in Arizona Desert

In December 2024, eleven Jesuits and three laypeople from six countries embarked on a search and rescue mission in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. Their mission focused on locating migrants who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. During their efforts, they discovered eight sites containing the remains of missing individuals. The team included several U.S. Jesuits, including Jaret Ornelas, SJ, who invited his fellow Jesuits on the mission.

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

Statement of Archbishop Broglio on Executive Orders Signed by the President

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), released a statement in response to the Executive Orders signed by President Trump this week.

"No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church’s teachings remain unchanged. It is our hope that the leadership of our Country will reconsider those actions which disregard not only the human dignity of a few, but of us all." (Archbishop Broglio)

Read the full statement here.



Federal Death Penalty

On December 23, 2024, (then President) Joe Biden made a historic decision to commute 37 federal death row sentences. Biden’s actions advance the cause of human dignity. Read more from Catholic Mobilizing Network here. Many Catholic leaders spoke out in support of Biden’s decision. 

"I applaud President Biden's decision to commute these death sentences," said Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. "It is one important step toward a greater respect for human life — even the lives of those who may have brought such suffering and pain to the lives of others." (Source)

Immigration

Catholic Elements of Immigration Reform

For decades, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been consistent and steadfast in their calls for a just reform of the nation’s immigration system. Six elements of reform are outlined here. 

Q&A: Responding to Immigration Enforcement Efforts

Click here to access a helpful Q&A document from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Department of Migration and Refugee Services about immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration.

LA fires inspire groundswell of Catholic aid

In addition to efforts from local Catholic schools and entities, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has established a donation portal to assist parishes, schools, and communities affected by the LA wildfires. Catholic Charities USA is also accepting donations for victims of the wildfires. 

Read more here.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years, in which Christians worldwide have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. 

“Unity is a spiritual and practical endeavor rooted in shared faith and mutual respect.” (Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako)

For more information and resources, click here.

Pope to Trump: May US prosper and shun all hatred, discrimination or exclusion

Pope Francis released a message to President Donald Trump after his inauguration on January 20, 2025. 

On the occasion of your inauguration as the forty-seventh President of the United States of America, I offer cordial greetings and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom, strength and protection in the exercise of your high duties. (Pope Francis)

Read more here. 

National Prayer Vigil for Life on January 23

Catholics across the country are invited to observe a nationwide prayer vigil from Thursday, January 23 to Friday, January 24, 2025, to pray for an end to abortion and a greater respect for all human life. The vigil has always occurred on the eve of the March for Life, which marks the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the United States Supreme Court.

Read more here.

Poverty Awareness Month

January is Poverty Awareness Month. Although the month is almost over, you are still invited to join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor.

Learn more here.

• Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
• January 25-28, 2024 | Washington, DC
• Register here.

Contact CMSM JPIC

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

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace