On November 13, 2025, I issued a letter to our diocesan family when the New York State Bishops released their statement, “For You Too Once Were Aliens,” concerning the immigration situation in this country. On that occasion, I made my own these words of the New York State Bishops: “However, most important to recall is the law of Christ set down in the Great Commandments: To love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves. All other imperatives are subject to this law of charity, and it is concerned neither with legal status nor country of origin. As individuals and as a society, we are bound to follow this supreme command and to make all our actions consistent with it, to the best of our abilities, even in difficult circumstances.”
Now I join Archbishop Paul Coakley, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in appealing to our diocesan family and all men and women of good will for prayers for peace and healing in our nation, in our communities, and throughout the family of nations. In asking bishops and dioceses for such prayer, Archbishop Coakley stated: “Let us pray for reconciliation where there is division, for justice where there are violations of fundamental rights, and for consolation for all who feel overwhelmed by fear or loss.”
I make also these words of Archbishop Coakley my own: “Many people today feel powerless in the face of violence, injustice, and social unrest. To those who feel this way, I wish to say clearly: your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter.”
I continue to hold in my prayers Jose Criollo and Adrian Ramirez, faith-filled parishioners of All Saints Parish, whose status in this country is under review by our government, as I do for all who have been detained. I have spoken with Jose’s family and with Father Daley assuring all of my care and support. In the last couple of months, I have tried to make appeal to government leaders concerning immigration matters in Syracuse, but sadly, such interventions have fallen on deaf ears.
Again, I call upon our legislative leaders to act on immigration reform immediately and make it an urgent priority of our government. I appeal also to immigration enforcement officers and the public at large to seek peace in all circumstances and to preserve and maintain the dignity and sanctity of all human life. Echoing Archbishop Coakley, “Let us ask the Lord to make us instruments of his peace and witnesses to the inherent dignity of every person.”
A year ago this week, I issued a pastoral letter, “With Liberty and Justice for All.” At its conclusion, I shared this prayer which I renew today: “O God who gave one origin to all peoples … fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all … equity and justice may be established in human society … Amen.” (Collect for the Mass for the Progress of the Peoples)
