On March 24, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops met with the National Association of Evangelicals to engage in an ecumenical conversation about potential collaboration on pastoral solutions related to immigration enforcement in the United States.
This meeting launched the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration to address the growing suffering of so many caught up in immigration enforcement.
“Whatever theological differences exist between us, Catholics and evangelicals across our country are navigating many of the same complex realities – political and social – and the issue of immigration is an important example,” said Bishop Brendan Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration.
Catholics and many evangelicals advocate for immigration rights based on the biblical injunction to “welcome the stranger,” as both emphasize human dignity and compassionate, comprehensive reform. Together, we agree that immigrants are created in God’s image and deserve respect. We also advocate together for policies that fix the present broken systems surrounding immigration and generally support legal pathways for those already here toward citizenship.
Catholic teaching emphasizes the right to migrate for safety and work, and it acknowledges that governments have the right to enforce immigration laws for the common good. Evangelicals often emphasize a dual focus on security and mercy, seeking both secure borders and compassion for the suffering immigrants.
“Evangelicals and Catholics share a deep commitment to honoring the dignity of every person made in God’s image. Across our congregations and communities, we are walking with families facing uncertainty, fear and complex legal realities,” said the Rev. Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
Catholics and evangelicals have historically engaged in collaborative efforts, exemplified by a joint report issued last year that examined the potential effects of mass deportation policies on Christian families residing in the United States. Both faith communities have addressed the pastoral challenges associated with ongoing immigration enforcement efforts, including heightened fear and anxiety among their congregants.
“I view the ECDI as a means of growing Christian unity with our evangelical brothers and sisters, while also furthering our shared goal of bringing the message of the Gospel to bear on one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Bishop Cahill shared at the meeting. “Together, we place our hope in Jesus Christ, and we seek to live out his teaching in relation to this challenging topic.”
He added, “Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has emphasized dialogue as the key to peace, understanding and fraternity, especially between different faith traditions. In seeking to live that out through the ECDI, I am deeply grateful to my co-chair, Reverend Kim, for his leadership and willingness to collaborate in this way and for the commitment of all those participating.”
The Catholic participants at the meeting shared the 2025 special pastoral message issued at the USCCB, when they voted overwhelmingly to speak against mass deportations taking place: “We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people, and we pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement, and we pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials.”
Father Joseph D. Wallace is diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
