Father Peter Ambting of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in De Pere, Wisconsin challenges his congregation to see asylum seekers and refugees through the light of Gospel values.

Moria, a refugee camp on the Greek island Lesbos, burned down, leaving thousands of people without shelter. Boats with asylum seekers from the Middle East and Northern Africa arrive weekly on the Greek islands of Kos, Limnos, Rhodos, Samos and Chios and on the Italian islands Lampedusa, Lampione and Linosa. 

Though many risk life and limb to escape the chaos or suffering in their home country, many European countries are beginning to express that they do not want refugees, even those nations that have previously welcomed asylum seekers with open arms. Political leaders continue to argue about what to do with these people and yet, the boats keep coming. This situation is similar to the one occurring at the United States southern border – people in search of a better life arriving daily while others express that they are not wanted here.

Migration is an extremely complex issue, yet it needs attention. Our place is to figure how we can relate and respond to these issues from our Gospel values.