Archbishop Bernard Hebda: A Call for Prayer and Real Immigration Reform (Morning Air)

After a violent weekend in the Twin Cities, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis is urging Catholics to respond with prayer, peace, and a serious push for comprehensive immigration reform. Speaking with John Morales on Morning Air, the archbishop acknowledged how raw the moment feels. Families are grieving, communities are anxious, and tensions are rising around immigration enforcement. Yet he believes the Church can help steady the conversation by keeping the human person at the center. That begins, he said, with prayer for those who are fearful and undocumented, for the federal agents and law enforcement officers tasked with difficult work, and for the peaceful protesters making their voices heard across the Twin Cities. He expressed gratitude that so many have chosen to march peacefully. Still, he emphasized that Christians must never let fear or frustration strip others of their dignity. Even when people are disappointed, angry, or alarmed, he said, their witness should remain “peaceful” and “Christ-centered,” remembering that agents and officers are also spouses and parents trying to live rightly. But Archbishop Hebda also insisted that prayer and peace must lead to practical action. In his view, the cycle of turmoil will not truly change without a long-term solution, one that is both lawful and humane. He pointed to the people he meets as a pastor: men and women who have lived in the community for years, even decades, raising children, working, and paying taxes, only to find their lives suddenly destabilized by immigration problems from long ago. Comprehensive reform, he said, “does call for our best minds to really put their heads to this,” seeking creative solutions that protect borders and uphold the rule of law while also showing compassion to those who have made genuine contributions. The archbishop was careful to distinguish between criminals and the many law-abiding neighbors Catholics already know personally: “They sit next to us in our pews, they’re our lectors, they’re our eucharistic ministers.” In fact, he shared that he recently spoke with members of the local Polish community who have lived in the United States for 40 or 50 years—people he knew were immigrants, but never realized were undocumented until he saw the fear and anxiety they now carry. In a polarized moment, Archbishop Hebda’s plea is simple and demanding: pray for everyone touched by this issue, and urge leaders to pursue legislative reform guided by truth, charity, and the common good. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.