Pax Christi USA is appalled by the recent attempt from Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, to target and shut down Annunciation House, a long-established center of support in El Paso for migrants, with false claims of human smuggling. Read a news report here.
As stated in the letter posted below, these “gross accusations against Annunciation House represent a morally unacceptable attempt at intimidation. These actions seek to criminalize essential humanitarian aid provided by local faith communities and NGOs and are an attack on the fundamental Catholic imperative to welcome the stranger, as well as a vicious targeting of borderland community members resisting the militarization of border communities.”
>>Use this link to watch the February 23 press conference (held via Facebook Live; starts at 16.32 mark)
>>Use this link to read a statement from El Paso’s Bishop Mark Seitz in support of Annunciation House.
Ruben Garcia, the founder and director Annunciation House, received Pax Christi USA’s Teacher of Peace honor in 2012. He also met with members of the current National Council and staff from the Pax Christi USA national office in October 2023, when the National Council held its meeting in El Paso. (See photo at right.)
In 2012, Cathy Crosby, then a member of the Pax Christi USA National Council and chair of the Teacher of Peace committee, said: “Ruben’s commitment to the radical hospitality of Jesus, welcoming all to the table, with preferential option for migrants, teaches peace moment by moment. The Pax Christi USA National Council celebrates the opportunity to recognize Ruben’s many years of humble service. We hope that the work of Ruben and Annunciation House continues to inspire others to work for justice and peace, as we each recognize the countless small ways we are called to build God’s kingdom here and now.”
TAKE ACTION!
>>Use this link to send a message to the Department of the Texas Attorney General, expressing your support of the important and Gospel-centered work of Annunciation House and your hope that the AG’s office will abandon this cruel effort at intimidation.
>>Use this link to write a note of support to Annunciation House.
Pax Christi USA has signed this letter of support for Annunciation House:
Borderland humanitarian and faith community stands in solidarity with
Annunciation House regarding Texas Attorney General’s efforts to criminalize humanitarian assistanceFor I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matthew 25:35)
Humanitarian and faith communities providing a dignified welcome to people in situations of vulnerability, including people seeking safety, stand in full solidarity with Annunciation House following the recently declared intent of the Texas Attorney General to end the organization’s critical mission.
The Attorney General’s gross accusations against Annunciation House represent a morally unacceptable attempt at intimidation. These actions seek to criminalize essential humanitarian aid provided by local faith communities and NGOs and are an attack on the fundamental Catholic imperative to welcome the stranger, as well as a vicious targeting of borderland community members resisting the militarization of border communities.
Annunciation House is an essential, reliable, and faithful partner in the El Paso community and has provided essential services, including to federal border enforcement agencies. Annunciation House’s commitment to Catholic social teaching on human dignity and the common good has inspired many who have followed its example.
We denounce the actions of the State of Texas to criminalize those seeking safety and the people welcoming them, both the attack on Annunciation House as well as the clear escalation of the racist Operation Lone Star. We demand that the State of Texas end its campaign of intimidation against people of faith and aid workers and stop using migrants and believers as pawns in political games. We call on the Biden Administration to vigorously defend the protection of vulnerable migrants at the border and to challenge the entire Operation Lone Star in court.