Bishop Joe Vasquez The Catholic bishops of Mexico have lamented the executive order signed by President Donald Trump which signals the start of the process to build his notorious southern border wall.
Reacting to news of the order, the bishops issued a statement in which they called for consideration on how to create employment and promote security without constructing a wall. “The first thing that hurts us,” the prelates said, “is that many people who live their relationship of family, faith, work, or friendship will be further blocked by this inhuman interference.
“We continue to support our brothers and sisters who come from Central and South America and who are in transit through our country to the US.”
The opposition to the wall was echoed north of the border also. In a release from the US bishops, that conference’s Committee on Migration chief, Bishop Joe Vasquez said: “I am disheartened that the president has prioritised building a wall on our border with Mexico. This action will put immigrant lives needlessly in harm’s way.
Traffickers
“Construction of such a wall will only make migrants, especially vulnerable women and children, more susceptible to traffickers and smugglers. Additionally, the construction of such a wall destabilises the many vibrant and beautifully interconnected communities that live peacefully along the border.
Bishop Vasquez added the pledge: “Instead of building walls, at this time, my brother bishops and I will continue to follow the example of Pope Francis. We will ‘look to build bridges between people, bridges that allow us to break down the walls of exclusion and exploitation’…We will continue to support and stand in solidarity with immigrant families. We remind our communities and our nation that these families have intrinsic value as children of God. And to all those impacted by today’s decision, we are here to walk with you and accompany you on this journey.”
Bishop Vasquez went on to describe plans under the executive order to increase immigrant detention space as “alarming”.