Standing with Haitian Families
In the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS), hundreds of thousands of people — many from Haiti — now face an uncertain and troubling future in the United States.
The faith community of St. Thomas has been blessed to witness the faith, hard work and resilience of the Haitian people, especially our brothers and sisters in Duchity. We have seen their beautiful faces, and through the words of Fr. Frantzdy, we have heard stories of the unimaginable hardships so many continue to endure in Haiti.
Bishop Brendan Cahill of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us of the moral stakes: “Revoking the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people … creates a moral crisis when returning to their country of origin is not a safe or reasonable option. … We as a nation cannot turn a blind eye to such an injustice.”
For Haitian families — many of whom have lived, worked and worshiped in our communities for years — this decision brings urgent concerns about safety, family unity and human dignity. The Church continues to call on leaders to act with compassion and courage and to seek solutions that uphold the dignity of every person.
As a parish with a long-standing relationship with the people of Haiti, and as a parish committed to outreach and social justice, we invite you to:
- Pray for those at risk of displacement and for wise, humane leadership
- Learn about the realities facing Haitian migrants
- Stay engaged as opportunities arise to advocate and support those affected
For those who wish to take action, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a way to contact the U.S. Senate and urge leaders to protect our Haitian neighbors: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/Campaigns/138390/Respond
“Forcibly sending families to dire conditions is a legacy all leaders should seek to avoid,” Bishop Cahill urges. May we respond with faith, compassion, and a renewed commitment to stand with our brothers and sisters in need.
