Diocese of Covington to convene discussion on striking a balance between immigrant welfare and border security, scheduled for June 25.
The Diocese of Covington and the Intercommunity Sisters Peace and Justice Committee are hosting a panel discussion titled "Immigration: The Catholic Perspective" on June 25. The event will take place at the Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium in the Diocese of Covington Curia, located at 1125 Madison Ave., Covington.
The panel will discuss immigration and the principles of Catholic social teaching, emphasizing a call for empathy, justice, and practical reform. The Catholic Church's stance on immigration advocates for humane, just, and morally-informed immigration reform that respects the dignity of every person, regardless of legal status.
Immigration should be seen not as a security threat or economic burden but as a test of national character, requiring policies grounded in mercy, fairness, and community inclusion. The Church urges enforcement that is proportional, avoiding indiscriminate raids, family separations, and detentions, and prioritizing alternatives to detention.
The panel will share insights from their extensive experience working with immigrants, providing updates on the current reality at the U.S./Mexico border and the status of immigration in the U.S. today. Speakers for the discussion include Father Michael Comer, Dr. James Camp, Hannah Keegan, Divine Providence Sister Kay Kramer, and Notre Dame Sister Maria Francine Stacy.
Another basic principle of the Catholic Church's approach to immigration is that a country has the right to regulate its borders and control immigration. However, this right is balanced with the rights of individuals to migrate, especially when their lives are threatened by war, violence, or lack of resources.
Leaders of every country must balance the responsibility to control its borders and ensure national safety and strength, with the rights of individuals to migrate. This balance is crucial in creating a culture of welcome, educating Catholics on Church teaching about migrants, and politically mobilizing for humane immigration laws that defend the vulnerable.
Sister Maria Francine Stacy stated that immigrants are often viewed as pieces on a chess board, rather than as real people with families and lives. The event will begin with networking and refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation from 7-8:30 p.m.
The panel aims to help attendees better understand the immigration situation in the U.S. and beyond, recognizing the humanity of those affected. The Catholic Church addresses immigration through a multifaceted approach, supporting comprehensive reforms such as streamlined asylum processing, protections for "Dreamers" and essential workers, and expanded legal migration channels.
Bipartisan efforts in Congress, like the Dignity Act of 2025, which aims for secure borders combined with legal status pathways, are praised by Catholic bishops as consistent with Catholic social teaching. The Church’s perspective presented in Covington calls for empathy, justice, and practical reform that balances law enforcement with sacred respect for human dignity, emphasizing that immigration policy is fundamentally a moral issue.
- In alignment with the Catholic Church's stance, the panel discussion in Covington will advocate for education on immigration that respects the dignity of all individuals and aims for empathy, justice, and practical reform within the community.
- During the panel discussion, Sister Maria Francine Stacy, one of the speakers, will emphasize the importance of recognizing the humanity of immigrants, who are often viewed as mere pieces on a chess board rather than real people with families and lives.
- The Catholic Church, through the Immigrant Education and Self-Development (IESD) program, supports bipartisan efforts in Congress, such as the Dignity Act of 2025, which promotes secure borders and legal status pathways, in accordance with its commitment to moral, humane, and fair immigration policies.
