From undocumented migrant, prisoner and deportee to Catholic bishop

By OSV News - OSVNews

By Hosffman Ospino
OSVNews

I first met Father Evelio Menjívar-Ayala at a meeting in 2015 in Washington, D.C., cosponsored by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), held at the organization’s headquarters. Not necessarily the space where one usually meets Catholic priests.

We were part of different panels addressing ways Catholics in the United States should be more proactive supporting workers, particularly immigrants, and advocating for labor rights. Why? Because it is the right thing to do.

As I listened to Father Menjívar-Ayala at that meeting, there was something gripping about his way of speaking about immigrants, as well as his impassioned plea for justice for vulnerable workers.

He did not hesitate to call for solidarity with undocumented workers, who are the backbone of many industries in this country. We take their labor and sacrifices for granted. When playing political football, we demonize them, yet our ways of life rely significantly on their work.

Eight years later I welcomed the good news that the priest I met at that meeting was named a bishop. He was ordained a bishop on Feb. 21, 2023 to serve in the Archdiocese of Washington.

During his time as a pastor, Bishop Evelio Menjívar-Ayala has been known as someone who walks with the people, a leader close to his community, a listener, a friend and an advocate.

Two keys to understanding his advocacy for workers, immigrants and others who live in conditions of vulnerability are his faith and his personal story.

He is in love with Jesus and his Gospel. He models his ministry on the ministry of Jesus the prophet and healer. His episcopal motto is “Ibat cum illis” (He walked with them), echoing Luke 24:15.

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala's solidarity with immigrant workers and concern for those who are alternatively documented in this country stem from his personal experience. He knows what millions of them have endured to procure a better life for themselves and their families.

He shared much of his personal story with El Pregonero, the Spanish-language newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. Born in El Salvador, at age 19, Bishop Menjivar-Ayala embarked on a journey toward the United States with his brother seeking a better future. They left a country ravaged by civil war, political polarization and lack of opportunity for young people. Before getting across the border, he made several attempts. In the process, he was imprisoned and deported from Mexico to Guatemala. Eventually he crossed.

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala acknowledges that arriving in a new nation without the proper documentation is not ideal. No one should need to go through the perils of crossing deserts, seas and borders in unsafe ways. Yet, life forces many people to risk it all searching for hope and new opportunities. Europeans did it in the past. Many do it today.

Bishop Menjivar-Ayala worked at various odd jobs in Los Angeles, then in Washington, D.C. He cleaned places and worked in construction. He lived with the people for whom he advocates today and understands firsthand what it means to be an undocumented migrant, a prisoner, a deportee, an underpaid employee, a vulnerable worker.

Many people saw potential in him. Several of them were Catholic priests who supported him in getting an education and eventually discerning a vocation to the priesthood. In this regard, he was blessed.

The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that God chooses the smallest and the lowly to do great things. God continues to do so.

Bishop Menjívar-Ayala does not want to forget where he comes from or the experiences that make him who he is. I pray for him and for more pastoral leaders who are willing to walk with the people they serve, understanding their longings and experiences, just as Jesus did.

Hosffman Ospino is professor of theology and religious education at Boston College.