Yesterday, the inaugural meeting was held for the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration (ECDI), an initiative of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The ECDI is being co-chaired by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Rev. Walter Kim, NAE president. In addition to the co-chairs, the ECDI is comprised of five senior leaders from each tradition, as well as organizational observers.

The initiative builds on a long history of collaboration between the USCCB and NAE, including a joint report released one year ago on the possible impacts of a policy of mass deportation on Christian families living in the United States. Since the release of that report, Catholic and evangelical leaders have grappled with many of the same pastoral challenges related to ongoing immigration enforcement efforts, such as an increase in fear and anxiety among members of their congregations. There has also been attention to how immigration policy can address the need for national security. The USCCB and NAE have both addressed these issues separately.

“Evangelicals and Catholics share a deep commitment to honoring the dignity of every person made in God’s image. Across our congregations and communities, we are walking with families facing uncertainty, fear and complex legal realities,” said Walter Kim, NAE president. “This dialogue gives us the opportunity to listen deeply, learn from one another, and strengthen our Christian witness by addressing immigration with biblical wisdom, love and moral clarity. Immigrants have enriched our churches and invigorated many evangelical institutions. We are called to share the gospel with them and to love them as we love ourselves.”

“I am grateful to Bishop Cahill and other Catholic leaders for their commitment to this work, and I look forward to how this dialogue will help us serve immigrant communities and our national security with greater unity and purpose,” Kim added.