In a Jan. 29 letter decrying the growing political and spiritual tensions throughout the U.S., Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver called on Catholics to prayerfully pursue peace and defend the human dignity of all persons.
“I write to you today with a heavy heart, aware of deep suffering in our nation, particularly around immigration and public life,” Archbishop Aquila wrote in the open letter published by Denver Catholic.
He cited violence in Minnesota as well as tensions in Colorado and elsewhere, which have led to fear, anger, and uncertainty for many. He lamented the loss of life as a tragedy.
“We are living amid heightened anxiety, harmful rhetoric, and a growing disregard for the dignity of human life and the truth that every person, from the moment of conception, is created in the image and likeness of God, no matter what that person does,” he continued.
He noted that the two greatest commandments — to love God and to love one’s neighbor — are foundational to “a just and peaceful society.”
“As your shepherd, I call all people of goodwill to peace, justice and a return to the moral foundation on which our country was founded,” Archbishop Aquila wrote. “This peace is not born of silence or indifference, but of rejecting violence, turning away from harmful rhetoric, and choosing dialogue rooted in truth and charity.”
The archbishop also warned against engaging in immoral behavior amid the conflicts.
“Violence, threats and inflammatory language — whether directed at immigrants, law enforcement, public officials or one another — are morally unacceptable and must be rejected by all,” he wrote. “Politicians of every political stripe for far too long have abandoned civil discourse. To hear the threats and language that come from them undermines human dignity.”
Archbishop Aquila also warned that the crisis at hand go beyond the political sphere.
“At the heart of this moment, there is not only a political crisis, but a more important spiritual one,” he wrote.
He explained that when God is not loved above all things, people see themselves as gods, undermining humility and charity with fear, desire for wealth, or quests for power over others.
“When the command to love our neighbor is neglected, division, hatred, violence, genocide and sophomoric name-calling inevitably follow,” he wrote. “The current climate of fear and polarization does not meet the standard set by Christ in the Gospel.”
The archbishop also noted that, as the Church teaches, countries have a right – and a duty – to enforce the rule of law, including by protecting their borders. Countries also must always protect and defend “the inherent dignity of every human person, especially the vulnerable and immigrants,” he stated.
“These truths must be held together in service of the common good,” he wrote. “In recent teachings, Pope Leo XIV has underscored that this dignity must be respected — even for those without legal status.”
Archbishop Aquila pointed out that Pope Leo recently said countries have a right to decide “who and how and when people enter,” but that treating people humanely is always required.
“Both political parties have failed in addressing immigration and have treated immigrants as pawns and objects, failing to respect the dignity of human persons,” Archbishop Aquila wrote. “The bipartisan Dignity Act, while not perfect, needs strong support from both political parties as it is a step in the direction of justice and human dignity.”
The archbishop noted that churches are open and offer a space for pastoral care and prayer to all. He then reiterated the call made earlier this week by Archbishop Paul Coakley — president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — for parishes across the country to hold Holy Hours for peace.
Archbishop Aquila asked every parish and Catholic school to hold such a Holy Hour in the next two weeks.
“Let us bring our fears, our grief and our hopes before the Lord, praying for reconciliation where there is division, justice where human dignity is undermined, consolation for all who feel overwhelmed or afraid, and conversion of hearts and minds of the citizens of our country,” he wrote.
He urged Catholics to pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, for the conversion of hearts, the dissipation of fear, and a renewal of respect for human life, as well as for her to lead everyone closer to Christ.
“Rooted in prayer and guided by charity,” he concluded, “may we choose respectful dialogue and lawful efforts that uphold the dignity of every person, placing God first in our lives and truly loving our neighbor as ourselves.”