KCK Archbishop backs urgent Catholic message for immigration reform | Opinion
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops this week called for a “meaningful reform” of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The archbishop of the Kansas City in Kansas Diocese confirmed his vote at the conference and support for reform.
Addressing the Trump administration’s treatment of all immigrants in the United States at their plenary assembly in Baltimore on Nov. 12, the group of bishops was straightforward in its words:
“We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.”
But what might be even more important is the way the bishops invoked the call for reform, in a rare, especially urgent way of speaking, called the Special Message. This marks the first time in twelve years that the body of bishops has spoken with this level of urgency. The bishops also addressed the issue separately in its message to the Pope.
Archbishop Reverend Shawn McKnight of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said he voted in support of the message, which was overwhelmingly approved by 216 votes in favor, 5 votes against, and 3 abstentions.
McKnight’s office issued a statement to The Star’s Editorial Board by email on Friday. “I gave my full support to the U.S. bishops’ special message on immigration. It reflects the same convictions expressed in the statement issued earlier this year by Bishop Kemme, Bishop Vincke, and me, which is that immigration is not merely a political issue, but a profoundly human one.”
As someone baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, I appreciate the urgency in this special message. I appreciate it primarily because of the tone and policies set by our government, which not only go after people in our country illegally, but also those here through due process.
We’ve seen the stories citing fear from immigrants who are here by legal means, who have been harassed, roughed up and even detained.
The rest of McKnight’s statement was firm in its commitment:
“Within our archdiocese, we continue to accompany immigrant families and refugees through parish outreach, Catholic Charities, and other ministries that provide assistance, advocacy, and hope. A key part of my vision is strengthening these efforts so that our parishes become true centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy for all who are in need.
“As I have often said, every nation has the right to secure its borders, and every person has the right to dignified work and a safe place to live. These values are not opposed; they must be held in the right balance. True reform of our immigration system will require policies that are both just and humane. These policies must uphold human dignity while respecting the legitimate concerns of national security and the common good.”
Why was this message different? In two big ways: by opposing the president’s actions, and by using the message itself. The National Catholic Register highlighted its rare use.
“The U.S. bishops have confronted a presidential administration before, but the use of a “special message” — requiring a two-thirds majority at a plenary assembly — to issue a forceful denunciation is not common. The last time the bishops did so was in 2013, issuing a special message against the Obamacare insurance mandate to provide contraceptive coverage. It was another signal moment, as health care reform had long been a priority for the bishops, but they did not let their general support for the Obama administration’s health care policy compromise the integrity of their witness regarding the Church’s teaching on sexuality.”
In their separate message to Pope Leo XIV, the bishops stated: “Holy Father, please know that the bishops of the United States, united in our concern, will continue to stand with migrants and defend everyone’s right to worship free from intimidation.”
The bishops also posted a video lasting 4 minutes and 17 sections, with unnamed bishops reciting the statement. In 18 different voices, the message was clear.
Read the full statement from the Conference of bishops here.
I reached out to UnidosUS – the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization – for comment, but hadn’t heard back as of this publication.
A coalition of organizations led by UnidosUS responded to a recent report from ProPublica, which “found that more than 170 U.S. citizens have been held by immigration agents.”
The statement demanded that Congress must “restore transparency, protect civil rights and uphold the rule of law so that no citizen, whether individual, child or family, is ever wrongfully detained again.”
UnidosUS held its annual convention in Kansas City this year and is headed by Kansas City, Kan. native Janet Murguía.
The statement continues: “These findings demonstrate exactly why Congress must act on the immigration accountability reforms that UnidosUS and a coalition of Latino civil rights and advocacy organizations have proposed. Additionally, these abuses highlight the broader concern — raised by a multiracial coalition of civil rights and civil liberties groups — about the misuse of federal authority and the need for Congress to reassert its oversight role, including prohibiting unlawful military deployments in U.S. cities.”
The conference of Bishops’ message is important, but not more important than what Catholic churches – and, indeed, all faith communities – must continue to do: help immigrant communities.
As Archbishop McKnight pointed out, the church must be a center of charity and mercy for those indeed. That includes immigrants in our community who are threatened by a heavy-handed immigration policy.
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM.
