The Catholic Church and Migration

A Systematic Perspective

Abstract

There are many different methodological avenues through which to study the Catholic Church’s approach to migration. One of the most fruitful systematic methods, however, includes an analysis of official Church documents and pontifical writings. As such, this article explores official Church publications from the pontificates of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, as well as other similar documents from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Applying the insights from these documents to a case study of Filipino immigration to the United States (c. 1980-present), this article will then assess whether the treatment of Filipino immigrants in the United States meets the standards outlined by the aforementioned Church documents.