Pax Christi USA was honored to take part in a profoundly moving webinar held on January 27 — “Taken, broken, and shared: Catholic witness today” was a 75-minute vigil, reflection, and call to action rooted in prayer, testimony, and Catholic Social Teaching following immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota that violate human dignity.
Organized in partnership with 10 Catholic justice organizations, the gathering brought together lay leaders, women religious, bishops, organizers, and people living amid intensified immigration enforcement—many of them in Minnesota—to discern what faithful public witness demands in this moment.
“We are gathering tonight because something deeper than outrage or urgency is calling us together,” said Pax Christi USA’s executive director Charlene Howard, as she opened the evening. “Our faith asks us not to turn away, but to show up—together—with courage, care, and love.”
Speakers included several individuals in Minnesota who have been directly affected by the ICE activity there; Bishop Brendan Cahill, chair of the USCCB’s immigration subcommittee; Bishop Oscar Cantu; Bishop Joe Tyson; and Bishop John Ricard. Sr. Carol Zinn, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, also offered a reflection. Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus member Christian Bentley provided moments of song for reflection between speakers.
More than 3,000 people registered for this event which was announced barely 36 hours before it took place. The Zoom webinar room was filled immediately, so thousands watched the livestream on YouTube, speaking to the hunger for community and prayer space during this troubling time.
Participants were invited to take immediate action — for instance, contacting US senators about ICE funding, supporting Minnesota-based mutual aid groups, and committing to ongoing prayer and accompaniment. (Find resources here on the Pax Christi USA page.)
As the gathering closed, Charlene reminded participants that the evening was not an endpoint. “This does not end tonight,” she said. “Faithful witness can look like prayer, learning, calling an elected official, showing up locally, or supporting frontline communities.”
“Let us go forward,” she concluded, “committed to building the beloved community through prayerful presence and courageous public witness.”
Watch the recording here: