United States Bishops’ Decision on Children’s Services and Refugee Support

By Christopher Wells

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently made a significant announcement regarding their cooperative agreements with the US federal government in children’s services and refugee support.

In a move described as “heartbreaking,” the Bishops revealed their decision not to renew existing agreements with the government, citing the suspension of refugee resettlement programs as a key factor in their decision. This development has led the Bishops to reassess how they can best serve individuals seeking safety from violence and persecution.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the USCCB, highlighted the organization’s long history of assisting displaced families and refugees in the United States. He emphasized that the partnerships with the federal government have been instrumental in expanding life-saving programs for individuals from various parts of the world.

A Call for Support

While acknowledging the generous support of the faithful in supplementing government funds for these initiatives, Archbishop Broglio expressed the need for alternative means of support moving forward. The USCCB will now focus on finding new ways to assist individuals already admitted into resettlement programs, seeking prayers for all those impacted by these changes.

Embracing Change

Despite the challenges posed by the end of these agreements, Archbishop Broglio sees this as an opportunity for Catholics to explore fresh avenues of assistance. He reaffirmed the Bishops’ commitment to advocating for immigration policy reform and combating human trafficking.

As the Bishops navigate this transition, Archbishop Broglio urged the faithful to join them in prayer, seeking God’s guidance in discovering innovative ways to offer hope to those in need. He emphasized that the Gospel’s call to serve the most vulnerable remains their guiding principle, inspiring them to continue their mission of compassion and support.