Welcoming the Stranger Quiz

The immigrants include a mix of skilled workers, professionals, refugees, and individuals on the edge of survival. Many join existing families, and some arrive without proper documents.

Many immigrants left their homelands due to a fear of persecution, economic distress, war, and political instability. The "new" immigration is a response to global changes over the past forty years.

The Bishops reject the anti-immigrant stance, nativism, ethnocentricity, and racism that have become popular in different parts of the country.

The reality of the United States is described as largely a "nation of immigrants," emphasizing cultural pluralism and the diversity of national and ethnic origins.

A century ago, the Church responded generously to the needs of immigrants by building parishes and schools, establishing charitable institutions, evangelizing newcomers, and creating national parishes that provided a safe haven for immigrants.

The Church encouraged the efforts of immigrants to build a better life and contribute to the labor movement, representing them in their struggles.

Despite predictions by critics, immigrants and their children quickly became vital participants in American society, acquiring proficiency in English and contributing to various aspects of the country's growth.

The ultimate resolution lies in changing the conditions that drive people from their countries of origin. Governments are urged to promote just peace, protect human rights, and foster economic development.

The Bishops urge governments, especially the US government, to welcome immigrants, provide for their immediate needs, and enable them to become self-sufficient. They also advocate for laws that respect human rights and preserve the unity of immigrant families.

The Church supports the human rights of all people, offering pastoral care, education, and social services, regardless of the circumstances of entry. It advocates for the legalization of undocumented persons who have contributed to their communities.

Immigrants often experience tensions in adapting to a new culture, but they strive to maintain their traditions and pass them on to their children, contributing to the diversity of American society.

The Bishops call upon all people, especially Catholics, to welcome newcomers with hospitality, openness, and eagerness to help and learn from them, promoting unity in diversity.

The main point is the Church's rich heritage of welcoming migrants, caring for their spiritual and material needs, and recognizing the richness and value that immigrants bring to the community. The section emphasizes the Church's historical commitment to migrants, drawing on Scripture and papal teachings.