June 20, 2018

Dear Brothers and Sister in Christ,

This is a critical moment in our nation, a land of immigrants. We hear the cries of the children who are being torn away from their parents and family. As the political debate rages, action must be taken, and families need to remain together!

At its core, this is a moral issue, not merely a political debate. This is about the sanctity of the family, a bond that cannot be duplicated or replaced. While we may differ in our views on how to fix the immigration crisis, we can all agree that returning children to their parents must be of utmost priority.

Unlike many of you, I am not a parent, therefore I can only imagine the horror and suffering that takes place when children are torn from their parents' arms. I can recall, as we all can, as a child the times when separated from our mother and/or father for any length of time - the anguish, the uncertainty and the deep hurt.

Children are being taken from their parents and detained on our border. They have no parent to comfort them as they are exposed to irreparable harm and trauma facing an uncertain future. Is this how we really want to treat children? Does this address basic human dignity? I hear this deep concern shared with me as I travel throughout the Diocese.

The family is the basic unit of society. When families are forcibly pulled apart, society is severely wounded. While every country has the right to secure and safe borders, it is the moral duty of us all to protect children. The government should not tear apart the family.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, pray for the children, parents and families who are suffering separation at our border. Pray that our country, the administration and the lawmakers find a solution to the immigration debate that makes sense and keeps families together.

I stand with my brother Bishops in asking you all to urge lawmakers to put aside politics and act for the moral good - reunite children with their parents!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of the Diocese of
Venice in Florida

Online Prayer Requests are updated weekly.

For all those that are feeling isolated, depressed and overwhelmed. May they see the true value that is in them and that they are not alone or abandon. That there is a purpose in their life. (6/14/18)

For a Epiphany parishioner beginning the process of a hip replacement.That the procedure and recovery proceed smoothly allowing him to return to his Epiphany ministry at Sunday Mass.

For a women that is a daughter, wife, mother and professional women confronted with a unexpected appointment with her physician for an undisclosed health issues. May the medical issue be treated to her allow to continue with her positive roles in life

For those who stagger in darkness yet now seek in the light of their faith to walk forward in a straight line. As Christ, who is the light of humanity, shines and overcomes the darkness of our spiritual life. For the darkness recedes when we put on Christ, as the armor of light in God's love. (6/12/18)

For a young child recovering from a tonsillectomy. May the recovery move smoothly and his parents and grandparents be given the peace from the various prayers of the faithful

Scripture is the living word of God and is everlasting. As Jesus states that "My words will never pass away." Every generation will hear God's word for the first time and choice to belief. "Jesus love this I know for the bible tells me so." (6/7/18)

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