Key Takeaways:
- Bishop Michael Pham, a Vietnamese refugee, is accompanying immigrants to federal courthouse in San Diego for their court hearings or ICE "check-ins" to provide emotional and spiritual comfort.
- The presence of clergy in the courthouse is potentially lowering the political temperature for ICE agents and judges, and has led to a change in the process of how arrests happen.
- The Faith ministry program, launched by Pham, has trained roughly 500 volunteers from 17 faith backgrounds to accompany immigrants in court and provide support.
- The program’s influence extends beyond just statistics, with volunteers helping individuals with their immigration cases and providing a sense of hope and comfort.
- The Catholic diocese of San Diego is working to address the issue of immigration and the division among Catholics, with Pham and other church leaders emphasizing the importance of welcoming the stranger and standing with the outcast.
Introduction to Bishop Michael Pham’s Story
Nearly 50 years ago, a 13-year-old boy boarded a tiny fishing boat from communist Vietnam with over a hundred other people, destined for anywhere but there. The boy, Michael Pham, survived the treacherous journey and later took shelter in a Malaysian refugee camp. He was eventually granted asylum in the United States and went on to become one of the highest-ranking positions in the Catholic church: bishop of San Diego. Pham’s own harrowing immigration story has driven him to start a new ministry, accompanying immigrants to federal courthouse in San Diego for their court hearings or ICE "check-ins".
The Faith Ministry Program
Pham’s ministry, called Faith, or Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope, was launched in August and has trained roughly 500 volunteers from 17 faith backgrounds. The program’s goal is to provide emotional and spiritual comfort to immigrants, and to potentially lower the political temperature for ICE agents and judges. Pham and other clergy members realized that their presence in the courthouse could serve as a reminder of the humanity of the individuals involved in the immigration process. The program has been successful, with volunteers accompanying immigrants to court and providing support and comfort.
The Impact of the Faith Ministry Program
The presence of clergy in the courthouse has led to a change in the process of how arrests happen. Previously, ICE agents would wait in the hallways outside courtrooms and often arrest people as soon as they exited if their cases had been dismissed. Now, arrests commonly happen out of sight, in the private rooms where ICE "check-ins" are held, where volunteers can’t see what’s happening. While it’s difficult to know if the volunteers’ continued presence has affected the overall number of ICE arrests and detentions, the process of how the arrests happen does appear to have changed since the spring. The new ministry’s influence extends beyond just statistics, with volunteers helping individuals with their immigration cases and providing a sense of hope and comfort.
The Catholic Church’s Stance on Immigration
The Catholic diocese of San Diego hasn’t always been the moral authority when it comes to systemic injustices and social ills. However, Pham and other church leaders are working to address the issue of immigration and the division among Catholics. Pham emphasizes the importance of welcoming the stranger and standing with the outcast, citing the Bible’s teachings on the matter. The issue of immigration isn’t partisan, but rather a matter of gospel, according to Father Scott Santarosa, a Jesuit pastor who is helping to lead the Faith ministry. The Catholic church has a long history of advocating for the rights of immigrants and the vulnerable, and Pham and other church leaders are committed to continuing this tradition.
The Challenge of Polarization
Pham and other church leaders recognize that the issue of immigration is highly polarized, with many Catholics holding conflicting views. However, Pham emphasizes the importance of listening intently to the congregation and creating a space for dialogue and understanding. This approach is in line with the legacy of the late Pope Francis, who emphasized the importance of dialogue and encounter in building bridges between people of different backgrounds and beliefs. By listening to the stories and concerns of immigrants and their families, Pham and other church leaders hope to create a sense of community and solidarity, and to promote a more compassionate and just approach to immigration.
Conclusion
Bishop Michael Pham’s story is a testament to the power of faith and resilience in the face of adversity. His own experiences as a refugee have driven him to start a new ministry, accompanying immigrants to federal courthouse in San Diego for their court hearings or ICE "check-ins". The Faith ministry program has trained roughly 500 volunteers from 17 faith backgrounds and has had a positive impact on the immigration process. The Catholic diocese of San Diego is working to address the issue of immigration and the division among Catholics, with Pham and other church leaders emphasizing the importance of welcoming the stranger and standing with the outcast. As the debate over immigration continues, the story of Bishop Michael Pham and the Faith ministry program serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in building a more just and equitable society.
