WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Reflection On Foreign Religious Worker

By Father Yohanes Akoit

Many priests, nuns, brothers, and missionaries who serve in our parishes come from other countries. They receive a special visa, called the R-1 visa (Religious Workers), that allows them to stay in the United States for only five years. Because of long delays in the immigration system, many of them must leave their ministry before they can get permission to stay longer.

This is very sad. Imagine a parish losing its pastor because of paperwork, or a Catholic school without the nuns who teach there. The faithful lose their shepherds, children lose their teachers, and the sick lose their chaplains. Yet these men and women have already given their whole lives to serve the people of God.

At first glance, this issue might not seem very important. It mostly affects the Catholic Church or some Protestant Churches that have priests from other countries. So, people might think it does not matter much to American citizens. It only happens in a few churches, schools, and hospitals - not everywhere. And since the Religious Workers are not American, some believe the country is not losing anything. In fact, they think it helps because it gives local people more chances to get jobs.

But to really understand the issue, we need to look deeper. Right now, fewer people in America are choosing religious life. That means there are not enough priests, nuns, or other Religious Workers to help in churches, schools, and hospitals. That is why workers from other countries are invited to help.

More importantly, the people being helped by these Religious Workers are Americans. So even if this seems like a small issue, it still matters. Some may say it only affects a few individuals, but those individuals have rights. And rights cannot be counted or reduced to numbers. Even if only one person is affected, that person’s right is still absolute and universal. That means it is not just a small problem – it is a real issue for the whole country.

Luke 14:25 - 33, reminds us of Jesus’ words: “Whoever does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” To follow Jesus means sacrifice. Foreign Religious Workers truly live this, Gospel. They leave their families and homelands, and carry the cross, so that they can serve God’s people with love.

The message of the Gospel is also for us. As disciples of Christ, we are called to make sacrifices for our faith and for others. For us, this can mean supporting our priests and other Religious Workers, speaking up for justice, or living our family life with faith and love every day. Let us pray that efforts like the Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA) will help these workers continue their mission without fear. And let us thank God for their witness, which inspires us to follow Jesus with courage.

Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, You call men and women from every corner of the earth to serve with love, humility and courage. We thank You for the priests, deacons, nuns and brothers, lay missionaries, and all who dedicate their lives to the work of your church. Grant them fortitude in their labor, comfort them in times of trial and the freedom to serve faithfully. Fill their hearts with the fire of Your spirit and serve Your people with joy and compassion. May their example inspire others to hear and answer Your call. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.