A word from McKinney regarding preferiental option of the poor

 People who opposed education and its importance would say that preferential option of the poor should not exist, and therefore, low socioeconomic status school districts, such as Manchester, New Hampshire should not gain more resources or extra funds for more teachers or supplies.  To counter this, the Christian theologian Stephen McKinney believes that, “The document (Consecrated Persons and Their Mission in Schools: Reflections and Guidelines) provides a clear indication that the preferential option for the poor should be ‘at the centre of the educational programme’ and states that all Christians are called to follow the example of the Church (McKinney 223).   In other words, the Catholic church believes that we should put the needs of the poor first. This option does not imply the exclusion of anyone, but it does imply a preference for the poor and a way to feel closer to them. 

A Mexican immigrant is now the head of U.S. Catholic bishops

*Commentary on the original post by The Washington Post- https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/11/12/mexican-immigrant-is-expected-become-head-us-catholic-bishops/

The President of the new Americans bishop’s conference is a latino immigrant. Archbishop José Gomez is an immigrant from Mexico. In a world, specially a country, that has a big issue with immigration and xenophobia, this is an extraordinary and unique move of the Catholic Church.

This move might come to no suprise,however, to those who know the Catholic Church’s teaching on immigration.

Here are a few quotes from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website on their stand on Immigration:

  • The presence of brothers and sisters from different cultures should be celebrated as a gift to the Church
  • The Catholic community is rapidly re-encountering itself as an “immigrant Church,” a witness at once to the diversity of people who make up our world and to our unity in one humanity, destined to enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing in Jesus Christ.
  • The Church supports the human rights of all people and offers them pastoral care, education, and social services, no matter what the circumstances of entry into this country, and it works for the respect of the human dignity of allespecially those who find themselves in desperate circumstances

The church urges, however, not to see this decision as one made as a form of protest against President Trump. However, the Catholic Church has been known for being heavily involved in Politics and public affairs.

So what do you think? Was this a powerful move from teh Catholic Church? Was it a response to President Trump and his xenophobia? Should more people of minority be placed in leadership roles? Let us know in the comments!

Facts about Immigration/Asylum in the USA

Immigration and people seeking Asylum in the United States is a hot topic in today’s world. Here are some facts about the situation that you may or may not know:

  • In 2018, total of 22,405 persons were admitted to the United States as refugees
  • The leading countries of nationality for refugees admitted were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, and Ukraine
  • More than three-quarters of refugees admitted to the United States in 2018 were under 35 years of age, and three out of seven were children
  • The US has the largest immigration population of any other country in the world
    • As of 2015, an estimated 47million immigrants lived in the US

The US is one of the most powerful countries in the world. Unsuprisingly, a lot of people seek refuge and a better life here. Immigration is a hot topic in today’s news.

  • Reflection Questions:
    • Should Immigration be a priority?
    • What are benefits of letting more imigrants/refuges into the country? What may be some negatives?
    • What is a statistic that suprised you the most?

Let’s hear from you in the comment section!

Sources:

The US Needs to Stop Cutting Refugee Admissions (A Christian Perspective)

“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” – (Deuteronomy 27:19)

Fast facts:

  • A survey conducted in May 2018 showed that 51% of Americans believe that country is responsible for accepting refugees and the 43% believes they should not
  • Since 2018, there are roughly 30 millions refugees world wide
  • Over half of these refugees are young individuals under the age of 18
  • The countries that accept and welcome the most refugees are Germany (1.1 million), Sudan (1.1 million), Uganda (1.2 million), Pakistan (1.4 million), and Turkey (3.7 million)
  • The plan that the US has set for the year 2020, is no accept no more than 18,000 refugees. This will be the smallest amount of refugees taken into the US since 1980.

What the Bible teaches:

  • “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
  • “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God” – Leviticus 19:33-34

The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ opinion:

  • “Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of discrimination and violence so that we may build relationships that are just and loving”
    1. “Persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland”
    2. “Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families”
    3. “Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders”
    4. “Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection”
    5. “The human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected”

Christian theologian/Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams’ Opinion:

  • “To lose a home and a land is to lose the security of being a citizen, or at least of having a community where everyone knows you belong. If you are young, it is to lose vital years of educational opportunity. If you are a woman, especially a woman on your own, it is to be more at risk of violence and abuse. If you are old or ill, it is to bring death closer. For everyone, it is to be more in danger from hunger and disease. And often, most tragically, it is to be the object of suspicion, prejudice or worse from the countries where you find yourself”

 

Sources:

Socioeconomic status and education

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines socioeconomic status (SES) as the social standing on an individual or group measured as a combination of education, income, and occupation. The research of SES reveals gross inequities in access to resources that result in loss of privilege, power, and control.  As known, students generally perform better in school if their own SES-background is higher. If the SES of their peers has a separate effect above this, then this has some important implications.  This may lead students with a low-SES background to miss the positive effects of attending school with high-SES peers while high-SES students profit from getting a “better” peer group.  

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