Catholic Conference of Ohio The official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on matters of public policy and government relations.

The Catholic bishops in Ohio released a statement as Haitians in Ohio awaited a Supreme Court ruling on their Temporary Protected Status. They wrote, "We reflect upon the promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and to worship God free from government intervention. We take seriously the truth that our rights come from God and recognize the great blessings that God has bestowed on our country. Therefore, as proud and faithful citizens of the United States, we need to take responsibility to support the common good of our country and to love our neighbors as ourselves." The bishops lamented the situation of Haitians in Ohio and across the U.S. who despite working hard to support their families, worshiping God regularly, and seeking to live in peace, "may be forced to abandon familial stability, jobs, and community due to policy decisions. We find no moral justification for terminating their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) without an alternative way to adjust their immigration status."

"Welcoming immigrants and refugees represents the Christian ideals our country stands on. The denial of a dignified life for law-abiding families fleeing an unstable home and contributing to the common good signifies how much easier it is to declare that we are “One Nation Under God” rather than to actually do the will of our Heavenly Father (cf. Matthew 7:21)," wrote the bishops. They continued to share the need to reform our immigration policy, while affirming, "the nation's right and responsibility to regulate immigration and protect its borders for the sake of the common good and address genuine public threats."

The statement concludes with sharing a path forward, "Like so many of you, we yearn for political leadership that can deliberate effectively without the partisan rancor that so often seems to take precedence over legislation for the common good. Looking back over our nation’s rich history, with its faith-centered values of welcoming those who seek refuge while ensuring the safety and order of our communities, can reveal a way forward." They reaffirmed their solidarity with immigrant brothers and sisters and asked Catholics in Ohio and all people of goodwill to pray for America at 250 years and to embody the words of Pope Leo XIV, “Those who believe in him are engaged in the great work of renewal that began with the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection, and they cooperate in building up the Kingdom of God, learning to embrace all men and women as brothers and sisters, children of one Father.” (Magnifica Humanitas 49)."

View Full Statement >