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07-02-2018
Comprehensive Immigration Report No. 235
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and Diocese of Savannah
From: Frank Mulcahy, Georgia Catholic Conference, (404) 920-7367 fmulcahy@georgiacc.org
Archbishop Gregory Issues Statement Responding to Families Separated at the Border. On June 29, Archbishop Gregory issued a statement related to the crisis of families separated at the U.S. / Mexico border. The unnecessary separation of children from parents and the detention of children is contrary to our values rooted in Catholic social teaching.
Family Separation at the Border. There is continuing concern for families and children detained at the border. A delegation of bishops is going to the border on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and will likely send a report within the next week.
Why Do People Risk Their Lives to Come to the United States? Click here for an important answer to this common question.
Supreme Court Upholds Travel Ban. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the lawfulness of the administration’s ban on immigrants and others coming from certain Muslim countries. Catholic bishops and others groups have expressed their disappointment with the ruling as it conflicts with freedom of religion.
ICYMI – Resources on Family Separation. For background and resources on family detention and separation, visit the Justice for Immigrants website.
Immigration Reform Legislation. Again, on June 27, the House of Representatives failed to pass a “compromise” bill on immigration. The bill would have provided some relief to DACA recipients, but would also have authorized $25 million for a wall on the southern border. The USCCB had opposed the bill as an insufficient solution to the problem. There will likely be no other attempt at immigration legislation until the fall.
El Arzobispo Gregory emite una declaración en respuesta a las familias separadas en la frontera. El 29 de junio, el Arzobispo Gregory emitió una declaración relacionada con la crisis de las familias separadas en la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos. La separación innecesaria de niños de sus padres y la detención de menores va en contra de los valores arraigados en la doctrina social católica.
Separación de familias en la frontera. La preocupación por las familias y los niños detenidos en la frontera continúa. Una delegación de obispos ira a la frontera en nombre de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB por sus siglas en inglés) y probablemente enviará un informe la próxima semana.
¿Por qué las personas arriesgan sus vidas para venir a los Estados Unidos? Haga clic aquí para obtener una respuesta importante a esta pregunta común.
Corte Suprema ratifica prohibición a viajeros. La Corte Suprema de Justicia ha confirmado la legalidad de la prohibición de la administración a inmigrantes y otros viajeros procedentes de ciertos países musulmanes. Los obispos católicos y otros grupos han expresado su decepción con la sentencia, ya que entra en conflicto con la libertad de religión.
En caso de que se lo haya perdido – Recursos sobre Separación de Familias. Para información y recursos sobre la detención y separación de familias, visite la página de Internet de Justicia para los Inmigrantes.
Legislación sobre una reforma de inmigración. Una vez más, el 27 de junio, la Cámara de Representantes no pudo llegar a un acuerdo sobre un proyecto de ley sobre inmigración que requería un “compromiso”. El proyecto habría proporcionado algún alivio para los destinatarios de DACA, pero también habría autorizado $25 millones para un muro en la frontera sur. La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos se opuso al proyecto de ley ya que presentaba una solución parcial al problema. Probablemente no habrá ningún otro intento de legislación hasta el otoño.
Media Coverage of The Archdiocese of Atlanta – Week Ending June 29, 2018
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, Principals, Parish & Chancery Staff
From: Paula Gwynn Grant, Director, Office of Communications
It has been another week of good coverage for The Archdiocese of Atlanta in the news and in The Georgia Bulletin.
In case you missed them, please see below for links to this week’s featured stories:
The Georgia Bulletin:
• Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory’s Statement on U.S. immigration policy & en Español
• Church’s compassion must be extended to survivors of suicide
Local News:
• SCAM ALERT: Carr Warns of Email Scam Targeting Faith-Based Communities
• A blessed facility: St. Bernadette’s holds ceremony, festival to usher in new building
• Atlanta churches join in rebuke of federal immigration policy
National News:
• The Catholic Church’s long history of resettling refugees in the U.S.
• Diocesan Ongoing Formation Director and Workshop Participant Collaborates with Institute to Accompany Priests in Ministry
En Español:
• Declaración sobre la política de inmigración de los EE. UU.
• La compasión de la Iglesia debe extenderse a los sobrevivientes del suicidio
• Cinco sacerdotes ordenados para servir a la Arquidiócesis
• Iglesia St. John the Evangelist re-dedicada el 3 de junio
Please share this information in your bulletin, newsletters, websites and social media.
Thank you.
Summer Social Media Campaign – Pastor Selfie Challenge
To: Pastors and Parish Communication Staff
CC: Parish Secretaries and Bulletin Editors
From: Paula Gwynn Grant, Director, Office of Communications
In an effort to share the work of our church and encourage weekly church attendance, we are excited to announce the social media “Summer Pastor Selfie Challenge” campaign.
Parishioners ages 18 and up are encouraged to take a selfie with their pastor and post it on social media using #archatl from now until September 21. We will repost our favorites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
We are also encouraging large group selfies with parish staff and at ministry events. An annual church picnic, outdoor rosary or special fundraiser event are a few great opportunities to take a selfie with a pastor and show the vibrancy of our faith community in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Please see the sample announcement to use for your bulletins, newsletters and social media.
Sample Announcement
Join the Archdiocese of Atlanta for their “Summer Pastor Selfie Challenge” on social media! Take a picture with (insert pastor’s name) and share on social media using #archatl. They will repost pictures on Facebook at facebook.com/archatl, Twitter at @archatl and Instagram at @archatlanta. For ages 18 and up.
For questions or more information, please email communications@archatl.com.
We look forward to seeing your selfies!
Scam Alert Targeting Faith Based Communities
To: Priests, Deacons, Brothers, Sisters, Principals and Chancery Staff
From: Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta
This morning, Attorney General Chris Carr released a statement regarding recent email scams that are targeting faith-based communities. This alert speaks directly to the iTunes gift card scam that many of our parishes have experienced.
Click here to read the Attorney General’s official statement. Please use the contact information included in the statement for any financial loss.
The Offices of Information Technology and Communications at the Chancery work diligently to send information to you swiftly when it comes to any possible scams that may affect or already are affecting our communities.
This topic was also covered in my recent column in The Georgia Bulletin.
Please make it a priority to keep office staff and parishioners aware of any scams that affect our Catholic community. This can be done by sending emails and e-newsletters.
To report a scam, please contact the Office of Information Technology at support@archatl.com or 404-920-7450.
Thank you.
Review of Paper and Electronic Records
To: Parish and School Staff
From: Angelique Richardson, Director, Office of Archives and Records
It is that time of year again! We are halfway through 2018, the perfect time to evaluate the records in your respective offices to determine what can be destroyed.
Please do not forget that our retention schedule is format-neutral! Remember to look at your electronic records in addition to your paper ones to determine if they are eligible for destruction.
Records may be shredded or deleted only with permission from the Chancellor. Please do not dispose of records unless you have received approval.
For permission to destroy records:
1. Use the Records Retention Schedule to determine if your records are eligible for destruction.
2. Complete the Records Disposition Form and submit it to records@archatl.com.
3. The disposition form will be returned to you upon approval of the Chancellor.
4. Once you have received your signed copy of the disposition form, you may proceed with destruction. Authorized employees should shred records.
If you require a shredding vendor, we suggest I-Shred. You may reach I-Shred at 770-667-9111. The cost is approximately $4 per box of shredded materials. Do not include binders, as shredding the metal in binders is a fire hazard.
If you have any questions, please email records@archatl.com or call 404-920-7690.