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The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah Vol. 97, No. 19 Thursday, September 14, 2017 Put Faith in Your Opinions southerncross.diosav.org $.75 Statement Of Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Regarding DACA Decision Declaracion de Obispo Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Respecto a la Decision DACA September 6, 2017 join Archbishop Wilton Gregory of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta in expressing deep disap pointment in the Administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). In 2012, in the absence of Congressional action to provide relief to about 800,000 young people who were brought into the United States as infants or children by their parents without authorization, the Department of Homeland Security announced that those who entered the United States as children and met certain require ments could register with the gov ernment, enabling them to obtain a drivers license and work permit. The recipients of DACA have grown up in our educational system, are proud members of our society and possess countless gifts and tal ents which greatly enrich our coun try. In my ministry I have encoun tered numerous DACA recipients who are already making a positive contribution in our local commu nities and parishes. The recipients of DACA consider themselves American, speak English and feel at home in the United States. An indi vidualized assessment has already been done by our government on each of these recipients, and they have been found to be contributing members of society. My hope now is that Congress acts swiftly and effectively to pro vide a sensible solution that will be beneficial to these young men and women. I feel it will be in our best interest for Congress to respond in a manner that does not interrupt the education, employment and dreams of these young people. To DACA youth and your fami lies, I understand the fear and anxi ety you face, and I value your God- given gifts and your commitment to your families. Be assured that the Catholic Church in South Georgia will continue to care for you with generosity and compassion through our parishes, Catholic Charities, and all those who provide pastoral care to our faithful. +Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah 6 Septiembre, 2017 e uno al arzobispo Wilton Gregory de la Arquidiocesis Catolica de Atlanta al expresar profunda deception por la decision del gobiemo de rescindir el Programa de Accion Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA). En 2012, a falta de una accion del Congreso para brindar asistencia a cerca de 800.000 jovenes que fueron traidos a los Estados Unidos como infantes o ninos por sus padres sin autorizacion, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional anuncio que aquellos que ingresaron a los Estados Unidos de ninos, y que cumplian ciertos requisitos, podian registrarse en el gobiemo, lo que les permitiria obtener una licencia de conducir y un permiso de trabajo. Los beneficiarios de DACA han crecido en nuestro sistema educativo, son miembros orgullosos de nuestra sociedad y poseen innumerables dones y talentos que enriquecen mucho nuestro pais. Durante mi ministerio he conocido numerosos beneficiarios de DACA que ya estan brindando una contribution positiva en nuestras comunidades locales y parroquias. Los destinatarios de DACA se consideran norteamericanos, hablan ingles y se sienten en casa en los Estados Unidos. Ya nuestro gobiemo ha llevado a cabo una evaluation individualizada de cada uno de estos receptores, y se ha encontrado que son miembros que contribuyen a la sociedad. Mi esperanza ahora es que el Congreso actue rapida y eficazmente para proporcionar una solution sensata que sea beneficiosa para estos jovenes. Creo que nuestro mejor interes sera que el Congreso responda de una manera que no interrumpa la education, empleo y los suenos de estos jovenes. A los jovenes receptores de DACA y a sus familias, manifiesto que entiendo el miedo y la ansiedad que enffentan, y valoro los dones que Dios les ha dado, asi como el compromiso que tienen con sus familias. Tengan la seguridad de que la Iglesia Catolica en el Sur de Georgia seguira apoyandolos con generosidad y compasion a traves de nuestras parroquias, entidades beneficas y todos aquellos que brindan apoyo pastoral a nuestros fieles. +Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. Obispo de la Diocesis Catolica de Savannah Editors note: Following Governor Nathan Deal's mandatory evacuation order the offices of Catholic Pastoral Center in Savannah closed at noon on September 8. As a result this issue of the Southern Cross was delivered to our printer on Friday September 8. We will resume publication with the September 28 issue. In the interest of reporting on the recovery efforts following Hurricane Irma, please email photographs and stories to editor@diosav.org Left, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals supporters demonstrate near the White House in Washington Sept. 5. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Sept. 5 that the DACA program is "being rescinded" by President Donald Trump, leaving some 800,000 youth, brought illegally to the U.S. as minors, in peril of deportation and of losing permits that allow them to work. (CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)
