Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrates Mass at ‘Witness to Hope’ Conference

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrated Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on Sept. 17 during the Witness to Hope: Pastoral Care of Immigrant Communities conference. The two-day event, held at Villanova University, brought together 130 clergy, religious leaders, and lay faithful to discuss how the Church can support and accompany immigrant families.

During the Mass, Archbishop Pérez shared his personal experience as an immigrant, describing the feeling of being singled out. The conference was co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, Catholic IMMpact, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia.

Michele Pistone, a law professor and founding faculty director of the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, said the gathering aimed to help attendees support migrants living in a climate of fear and enforcement. Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski of Providence, Rhode Island, delivered a keynote address during the meeting.