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February 17, 2022, Washington, D.C. – Sisters Donna Markham, OP, and Norma Pimentel, MJ, are defending the humanitarian and Gospel ministries to immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) against Catholic detractors who accuse them of luring immigrants across the southern border and even engaging in human trafficking.
CCUSA and its agencies – including the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas – have received hateful, furious phone calls and unfair coverage on Fox News and other media outlets.
“Our work is humanitarian,” said Sister Donna, President and CEO of CCUSA, told America Magazine. “It is grounded in our faith.” She noted that Catholic Charities has been doing this work – mandated by the Gospel – since 1910. “This is really our identity, and we don’t have any intention of stopping this ministry.”
As Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grand Valley, based in Brownsville, Texas, Sister Norma defended her agency’s work at the respite center in McAllen, Texas. The respite center serves people who have left their homeland because of “dire circumstances” and who have been allowed to enter the United States by the federal government, she told America. “We simply offer humanitarian assistance in their time of crisis.”
Read the entire article, written by Kevin Clarke. In addition, read a statement by the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, standing by the work of CCUSA.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia stand with you as you help those in need. Our prayers go with you.
As a past volunteer with Sister Norma in McAllister. TX and having the privilege of listening to numerous stories of migrants who had presented themselves at the border seeking asylum, I stand witness to the fact that: a) they in no way wanted illegal entrance and b) they were able to breathe a sigh of relief and thanksgiving as they found a day or two of respite with the Catholic Charities hospitality center before moving on to the homes of their sponsors. Margi MillerAssociate of the Sinsinawa Dominicans
Sister Norma is doing God's work of mercy at the border. We offer prayers and gratitude for her leadership and the work of all who answer the call to serve migrants who have risked their lives to escape violence and poverty in their countries.