"Reflections" regarding THE PATH TO SOLIDARITY                                                                                (continued) Prayer  ~~  "Come Spirit of Love!   Come that as a result of our CONVERSION  AND  COMMUNION,  a complete unity of all the peoples  on this great CONTINENT OF AMERICA  may take place! That beginning with  The CHURCH IN AMERICA   a  SOLIDARITY,  never before seen  on the face of this earth,  may result!

The question of immigrants

It is a TRUE historical fact that,
 especially beginning with Christopher Columbus, 

AMERICA   has been built  by peoples traveling across the oceans on either side of the continent in order to seek  religious freedom.

Initially, these peoples came looking for a place to practice religious freedom. 

Now they come in hope and expectation of a
better future! 

Pope John Paul II reminds us that especially those who have come from Latin America, bring with them a cultural and religious heritage rich in our Catholic faith.

 He reminds us that the 
CHURCH IN AMERICA MUST
strive to especially welcome our brothers and sisters immigrating to the United States from south of the Rio Grande.

The gathering of all American bishops stated that,

"The Church in America must be a vigilant advocate, defending against any unjust restriction, the natural right of individual persons to move feely within their own nation and from one nation to another."    And out of, "...respect for their human dignity...," even in cases of non-legal immigration, they are entitled to certain God-given rights."

All people,  coming to America in order to seek a
better future,

 "...should be met with a welcoming attitude

which can encourage them to become part of the Church's life, always with due regard for their freedom and their specific cultural identity."

Also, it is the responsibility of the
CHURCH IN AMERICA
to provide for the, 
"... evangelization of those recent arrivals who do not yet know Christ."