Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

In June 2008, CLINIC celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Founded in 1988, the organization has expanded from 17 immigration programs to more than 170 in 48 states.

Learn more about CLINIC's accomplishments through the years.

This presentation, which was first given in July 2008, gives an overview of Catholic social teaching on migration. Topics include:

• Who is my neighbor? How can I be a neighbor?;
• Principles of Catholic social teaching;
• The dignity of the person and respect for life;
• Community and the common good;
• God-given rights and responsibilities;
• Preferential option (decision) for the poor;
• Dignity of work;
• Solidarity and the human family;
• Care for God's creation;
• And much more.

On May 10, 2005, the U.S. Catholic Bishops launched the Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Campaign in an effort to educate Catholics, including Catholic public officials, and other people of good will, about Catholic social teaching concerning immigrants.  The goals of the Campaign are to raise the awareness about the positive contributions of immigrants to our society and to advocate for changes in immigration law.  Congress should provide an orderly and safe pathway for undocumented people to integrate into our society.

Collection of Passages from Core Social Teaching Documents on Migration from the following sources:

MAJOR DOCUMENTS

1891 – Rerum Novarum

1952 – Exsul Familia

1961 – Mater et Magistra

1963 – Pacem in Terris

1965 – Gaudium et Spes

1967 – Populorum Progressio

1971 - Octogesima Adveniens

1978 – The Church and People on the Move