Immigrants at the forefront of Archbishop's keynote speech

By Emily Chaffins -

PINECREST | Wilbur B. Bell, a Vietnam Air Force veteran and Catholic convert, is a loyal participant in Miami’s Community News monthly luncheons across South Florida. Just as he has always done, Bell led the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of “God Bless America” on May 15 as Archbishop Thomas Wenski, local politicians, businesspeople, and community members gathered at Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest for this month’s luncheon.

“These events started off little and bloomed,” Bell said of the luncheons. “I’ve been attending and leading the pledge and ‘God Bless America’ since the beginning.”

This month’s “Miami’s Community News Pinecrest Luncheon with Archbishop Thomas Wenski” drew approximately 250 attendees from across the community.

Archbishop Wenski delivered a speech about current issues affecting South Florida. After all, “You can’t talk about South Florida without talking about the church.”

He remarked on the success of local Catholic schools, noting that Step Up For Students and vouchers have contributed to enabling 1,000 more students to enter South Florida Catholic schools this year. The archbishop also noted that the recent openings of Cristo Rey Miami High School in North Miami and The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea high school in Key West points to how local Catholic education is thriving.

“The vibrancy in the city and South Florida area is due to one main thing: migration,” said Archbishop Wenski. “Migrants should not be seen as a problem, but as an opportunity,” he added. “We must remember this and keep it at the forefront of our minds, especially as we engage in very necessary debates on fixing the immigration system.”

Archbishop Wenski proposed a way to alleviate immigration processing issues: updating the registry.

“In 1929, immigration laws were very severe,” the archbishop explained. “But in that law that was basically anti-immigrant, they did have something that said that if you were in the country before a certain date - I think it was 1921 - and showed good moral character, you could apply for registry, which would give you a path to permanent residency.”

The archbishop argued that the registry date should be moved up from its current date of 1972.

“You could unclog the asylum system, which is part of the brokenness of our system,” he said. “Today, if somebody goes across the border and they apply for asylum... they process you and they give you a day that you have to appear in court. Usually, the day is not until 2027, 2028, or 2029.”

He added, “If the system is broken and a problem, we can’t move from there to say that the people, the immigrants, are problems. They are our brothers and sisters in the Lord, made in the image and likeness of God. They might be strangers but should be embraced as our brothers and sisters.”

Deacon James Dugard of St. Patrick Church, a religion teacher at Christopher Columbus High School, was present at the event with four students. Columbus president Thomas Kruczek and other faculty, staff, and alumni were also present.

Deacon Dugard wanted to allow students to “hear the words of wisdom of Archbishop Wenski and to meet some of the folks who are influential in the South Dade Catholic community. I want them to get exposure and see that the Catholic world is bigger than their parish and Columbus.”

The students testified to the impact of their experience.

“Coming from two parents who are immigrants, and having family members who were deported, it felt like he was speaking directly to me,” said Nicholas Rivas, a junior. He added, “The registry was applied to my parents.”

Javier Aragon, a junior, said, “The fact that the archbishop is supporting immigrants is amazing. How Florida ‘vibes’ and mixes with cultures is amazing. As an immigrant, it’s nice to know some people do care about us. It touched me.”

Sue DeFerrari, executive director of MorningStar Renewal Center in Pinecrest, was excited to be attending with a group from the retreat center. “We wanted to hear our spiritual leader speaking in our neighborhood and learn how to better serve the people of the Archdiocese of Miami.”

Grant Miller, publisher of Miami’s Community Newspapers, and his brother and co-publisher Michael, organize Miami’s Community News luncheons. Miami’s Community News, established in 1960, produces podcasts and 15 newspapers covering South Florida news.

Barry Johnson, principal of Engage South Florida, is a long-time participant. “Grant puts on the most incredible events in Greater Miami. He gets great leaders to come, the best rock stars in town. Today, it’s an honor to hear what’s on the archbishop’s mind, his views on life and the community.”

“It’s important for readers to engage in upfront conversation and see their leaders are real, accessible, and available,” said Michael Miller regarding the luncheons.