More than 100 Catholic bishops, nuns, priests and lay people joined a protest across the US-Mexico border Friday evening, calling on the US government to treat immigrants with dignity and respect.
The procession, from Nogales, Arizona, to its sister city in the Mexican state of Sonora, was organized to coincide with the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
“We want to be good together. This is what the Church is about,” Tucson, Arizona, Bishop James Misko said as he celebrated mass at Sacred Heart Church in Nogales, which overlooks the U.S.-Mexico border fence.
Catholic leaders criticize immigration policies
After the service ended, priests and parishioners lined up and began to pray the rosary together as they crossed the border, where they joined their Mexican counterparts.
“The heat is intense, the heat is dangerous,” said Sister Eileen McKenzie, a Franciscan nun who works with migrants in Ambos Nogales.
He treated the expedition as a unique moment of solidarity as they braved highs of 36 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit).
“We found out, there are people crossing the desert right now, and they don’t have (respite). It puts a perspective on it. There are more and more people going farther and farther. They’re getting desperate and they’re still crossing.”
