Cardinal McElroy says Americans can no longer 'pass on by' ignoring how US is treating immigrants

Cardinal Robert W. McElroy called on Americans to support undocumented immigrants suffering under government mass deportation policies during a Mass for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 27. Speaking at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, the cardinal said the nation must stop ignoring these actions and fight every dimension of the perceived evil being carried out in the country's name.

McElroy urged the public to seek to replace or convert political representatives who tolerate these policies. He criticized recent immigration enforcement, including raids on schools, nursing homes, and parking lots, describing them as a war on undocumented immigrants who have contributed to the nation's economy and culture. He also noted the suffering of children who have been detained and separated from their families.

The Mass, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington's Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach, included a multilingual rosary prayed in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Amharic, and Haitian Creole. Concelebrants included 18 priests and Auxiliary Bishops Juan R. Esposito and Robert P. Boxie III, along with retired Auxiliary Bishop Roy E. Campbell Jr.