Dominican Sisters reflect on Feast of Holy Family
The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Birmingham, write: "This weekend, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents and the Feast of the Holy Family, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill ask you to join us in praying for the children who have been separated from their families.
We stand with Most Reverend Joe S Vásquez, Bishop of Austin and Chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, who issued the following statement:
"Forcibly separating children from their mothers and fathers is ineffective to the goals of deterrence and safety and contrary to our Catholic values. Family unity is a cornerstone of our American immigration system and a foundational element of Catholic teaching. 'Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.' (Psalm 127:3) Children are not instruments of deterrence but a blessing from God.
"Rupturing the bond between parent and child causes scientifically-proven trauma that often leads to irreparable emotional scarring. Accordingly, children should always be placed in the least restrictive setting: a safe, family environment, ideally with their own families." To read on see: www.facebook.com/SparkillDominicans/posts/2925273950839785
Read more about the Sparkill Dominican Sisters: www.sparkill.org/