Publisher’s Note: The following press release was provided by the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration offers roadmap of dignity, welcome, and hope for the local Church
Archbishop Gustavo GarcĂa-Siller, MSpS, has issued a new pastoral letter, We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration, released Aug. 3 at San Fernando Cathedral.
Addressed to the more than 1 million Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and to all people of good will, the letter offers a pastoral roadmap grounded in human dignity and the Gospel call to welcome the stranger.
The archbishop released the letter on the 100th anniversary of San Antonio’s elevation to a metropolitan archdiocese, as the nation marks 250 years of independence. Amid widespread fear among immigrant families and unprecedented immigration enforcement, he calls for renewed discernment and pastoral accompaniment.
“Families we know by name are now afraid to come to the sacraments. Like the Good Samaritan who drew near to the wounded, we cannot walk past them,” Archbishop Gustavo said. “I write to console the suffering, to awaken the indifferent, and to confront injustice with the courage the Gospel demands.”
The letter outlines four pillars:
Human Dignity: Every person, regardless of legal status, bears the image of God and an inviolable dignity.
Encounter with Christ: In welcoming the migrant — to welcome, protect, promote and integrate — we meet Christ Himself.
A Church That Goes Forth: Parishes and families are called to accompaniment, from Know Your Rights formation to ministry with the detained.
The Common Good: An appeal to civic leaders on the non-negotiable principles of dignity, family unity and due process.
Parishes, Catholic schools and campus ministries will receive a reflection guide and liturgical resources, with emphasis on September’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The full text is available in English and Spanish at https://archsa.org/we-will-come-to-you/, along with a reflection guide, a video reflection from the archbishop and liturgical resources for parishes and ministries.
