A group of bishops, moral theologians, ethicists, researchers and service providers for migrants and refugees met at Ibero Jesuit University in Tijuana for a “Colloquium on Migration in the Americas” on October 9-11. The conference was presented in connection with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Fr. Ako Walker and I represented the Redemptorists at the event, and the Denver Province sponsored transportation of the participants to the border wall for a prayer service as part of the colloquium. As sponsor, I was asked to give a brief statement about our new Redemptorist community in Reynosa, Mexico.
Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcia of Matamoros represented the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM). He gave thanks to the Redemptorists for choosing to establish our community in Reynosa. Several auxiliary bishops participated, representing the dioceses of Washington, DC, Monterrey and Tijuana. Theology and ethics professors from Boston College, University of Loyola Chicago, University of San Diego and Jesuit universities in Mexico, Chile and Argentina participated. There were representatives from eight nations.
Dr. Cuda during her presentation 
Fr. Ako Walker makes a point during the discussion 
participants at the border wall
A highlight of the colloquium was the presence of Dr. Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Her keynote address focused on the social moral teaching of the Church on migration. She is a lay woman appointed to the Curia by Pope Francis, and as a moral theologian she is fond of St. Alphonsus and Redemptorist international initiatives in migration ministry.
Ten days before the event, I was asked to give a 20-minute presentation about accompanying migrants and immigrants in their struggles in the United States today. I felt honored, and accepted the invitation with some trepidation. In my talk, I called attention to providing retreats, support and spiritual care for caregivers in migrant services. Recognizing the stress and discouragement of caregivers in migrant ministry was an important part of the review at the end of the program.
After the colloquium, several participants accompanied Fr. Ako and I to San Luis Rio Colorado, in the Diocese of Mexicali, to participate in the signing of the Binational Encuentro Statement and Mass by bishops of the United States and Mexico.
Participants at the Mass represented 25 states in the U.S. and many states of Mexico. It was a privilege and an honor to be among North and South American Catholic leaders in migration ministry.
Mike McAndrew CSsR
(Courtesy: denverlink 10.24.25)
