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CENTRAL FALLS — Snow began to fall at an escalating rate the closer the walkers got to the imposing prison, which is surrounded by high, barbed-wire fencing.
But the inclement weather did not deter about 75 people from participating in the third migration-themed Rosary prayer pilgrimage, led by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
The pilgrims gathered in the parking lot of Fuera Laboral, a workers’ rights center located about a half-mile away and processed in a loosely double file line to the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, where a number of migrants swept up in an ongoing series of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcements raids are jailed awaiting deportation.
As he did in the first two Holy Rosary prayer walks, the bishop used a bullhorn to offer words of love and caring for those inside, whom he deemed to be our brothers and sisters.
As he spoke, several figures were seen in the narrow windows of the facility, some banging to acknowledge they could hear the bishop’s words and the prayers of the faithful.
“We’re here to pray to let our brothers and sisters who are here and slated for deportation that they are not alone, that we are with them and that we are praying for the Lord’s help for them, that for the good people that are being detained, that there will be a different outcome for them.”
Bishop Lewandowski said that the faithful should support comprehensive immigration reform that “respects and recognizes the dignity of every person as being created in the same image and likeness as God.”
“Reform that keeps families together, that recognizes the contributions of good immigrant people who have been here for decades, and also that provides a pathway for legalization and citizenship.”
He is optimistic that despite living in a polarized nation, there is enough common ground for some form of legislative solution to gain traction.
“Our country can do it, we need to have the will to do it, so we’re praying for a change in mind and heart,” he said.
After The Prout School Principal David Estes prayed the first decade of the rosary, and others followed, the bishop again, as in previous prayer walks, invited those taking part to slowly wave to those incarcerated as a gesture of goodwill and support.
Father David Orique, O.P., a professor of history and Latin American studies at Providence College; Father Richard Narciso, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Johnston; Father Henrique S.M. Varela, C.S.Sp., assistant pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Central Falls; and Deacon Fernando Botelho, of St. Paul Church, Foster, were among the clergy participating.
While he intends to keep praying the rosary for those detained on the first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. outside the detention facility, Bishop Lewandowski also plans to take his message nationally in an upcoming diocesan bus trip to Washington, D.C., in what is being called “A Pilgrimage of Prayer and Advocacy,” on Thursday, March 5.
There, he is planning to meet with bishops and faithful of other dioceses from the Northeast who are hosting similar pilgrimages in support of comprehensive immigration reform that respects the dignity of each person.
“We will make our visit to Capitol Hill where we will have prayer with our legislators and to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform,” Bishop Lewandowski said.
In November, the U.S. bishops issued a “Special Message” on Immigration from their plenary Assembly in Baltimore, marking the first time in 12 years the USCCB has invoked such a message, using this occasion to address their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the U.S.
“Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants,” the U.S. bishops said in their message. “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.
James Jahnz, diocesan Secretary of Catholic Charities and Social Ministry, will be traveling to Washington on the bus pilgrimage, which he views as an opportunity for the local faithful to advocate to their federal delegation for “sensible immigration reform and just policies.”
“The best way we can do that is through our witness, our presence and our prayers, “he said. “It will be a powerful testimony to our faith and solidarity.”
The bus pilgrimage will depart Holy Apostles Church, Cranston, at 5 a.m., on Thursday, March 5, and is expected to return later that evening around midnight. Space is limited to the first 45 people who sign up with Jahnz at jjahnz@dpvd.org.
“We’ve had a number of registrants already so we’re looking forward to a whole bus,” Jahnz said.
Bob Watt, a parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Parish, applauds Bishop Lewandowski for his leadership on the immigration issue.
As a lawyer, he said he has seen actual proceedings in which the government seeks to try migrants with no records under different areas of the law than called for, resulting in many being deported when they should not be.
“They’re converting civil law into prison sentences as if they were criminals, and there’s only 30 percent being picked up who have criminal records and 70 percent are you and me.’’
Jeanelle Wheeler, a member of Pax Christi RI, who also serves as a volunteer with the Deportation Defense Network, said she was impressed with Bishop Lewandowski’s leadership and his willingness to walk the walk in support of a cause that is important to the Church.
“I am just so thrilled that the bishop is really speaking out about the urgent need for and end to mass deportation and is able to make the connection to people of faith that this is absolutely not acceptable,
“Jesus is calling us to care for one another, love one another and be radically hospitable and welcoming to those who are marginalized. For him to be present outside the Wyatt is hugely important to that end.”
