WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | May 24-June 6, 2019 | Volume 80, Number 14 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Clergy and chaplaincy Our Lady of La Vang Welcome for priests As migrants continue to arrive into Mexico, donor fatigue sets in DAVID AGREN director of migrant ministries in A woman, part of Catholic News Service Tapachula. “(They) no longer help a convoy of Central out. It’s to the point that in parishes American migrants, TAPACHULA, Mexico | Sister we no longer ask for assistance for reacts as she and Bertha Lopez was buying 55-pound migrants.” her child are sacks of rice, when the cashier Sister Bertha described a “cli- escorted into a van asked: “Where do they want the mate of apathy” and said of the by National Institute rice? For Guatemala or for whom?” situation: “If (people) see some mi- of Migration Sister Bertha informed the ca- grants, they close their stores. This officers, after being detained shier, “We’re buying it to feed our sadly started growing with the me- at a checkpoint migrant brothers” who are stranded dia providing negative news.” on the outskirts in this city near the Guatemala bor- The apathy comes as Mexico of Tapachula, der. The cashier responded: “Why cracks down on migrants moving Mexico, May 19. are you doing that? What you’re do- through the country and President (ANDRES MARTINEZ ing isn’t right.” Donald Trump complains Mexico CASARES, Last fall, locals in southern Chi- is “doing nothing” to stop migra- REUTERS | CNS) apas state welcomed the caravans tion — even though it has detained of migrants crossing into Mexico and deported more Central Ameri- from Guatemala and carrying on cans in recent years than the United northward to the U.S. border. They States. offered everything from food and Mexico started issuing humani- drink to clothing and shoes to the tarian visas, which allowed one- tia” train — so named for the way it vegetable and a pastry to 2,500 mi- Federal Police provided an escort — caravan travelers, who often in- year stays in the country, but quick- maims the migrants falling under grants outside the migrant deten- at least until April 23, when police cluded children. ly backtracked as migrant flows its wheels. tion center, though supplies some officers and immigration officials Parishes throughout the Diocese surged. Migrants — including many days have run short, and calls for stopped a caravan and detained of Tapachula mobilized to meet “I had heard the president was from Cuba, Haiti and African coun- help have gone unanswered. nearly 400 migrants. the needs of thousands of mostly going to give us visas. And with a tries — continue arriving, but can- Stories circulate in the media Locals in the towns heading Central American migrants — visa, we thought we would cross all not obtain safe passage documents, and on social media sites of mi- north from Tapachula voice frus- many fleeing violence, poverty and of Mexico without any problems,” which previously were routinely is- grants committing crimes and be- tration with the steady arrival of drought. Sister Bertha’s congrega- said David Solorzano, 23, a farm- sued. ing gang members. caravans. tion, the Guadalajara-based Mis- hand who fled El Salvador after re- Haitian migrant Pierre Saint The April 2019 National Survey In the municipality of Mapaste- sionaries of the Resurrected Christ, ceiving gang threats. He had hoped Paul, 45, traveled north from Chile, of Urban Public Security showed pec, Consuelo Santiago allowed tended to the wounds of weary mi- to travel north with his aunt. where he had lived for two years, residents of Tapachula consider- caravan travelers to charge their grants in a mobile medical clinic. But Solorzano opted for volun- but he found it impossible to obtain ing the city the least secure in the phones for free at a small restau- But many locals no longer wel- tary repatriation to El Salvador. He the proper papers. He was hoping to country, with perceptions worsen- rant on the town square. But she come migrants in Chiapas. Munici- expressed weariness with the end- make it to Mexico City or Tijuana, ing since the caravans started arriv- expressed some displeasure with pal governments, meanwhile, have less walking. He said immigration where he had relatives who had ar- ing in October. Police in the town of caravans occupying the space shunned them by blocking access checkpoints dotted the highway rived earlier in the decade. Huixtla circulated the streets with a outside her business, and people to town squares, where members through Chiapas. A caravan with “I’d just like a better life for my loudspeaker screeching, “a danger- donated so much food and cloth- of caravans often slept and sought which he was traveling was raided life and son,” said Saint Paul from a ous caravan” is about to arrive and ing to the migrants that not all of it basic services. Local government by the police — forcing him to flee shanty in which he slept. warning people to stay inside. was consumed — causing people to officials complain of being forced into the hills — and he says he was Tensions in Tapachula have sim- Police later impeded migrants consider the travelers ingrates. to shoulder security, sanitation and punched in the mouth during a rob- mered, with migrants storming im- from entering the town center. “People don’t see the need to cleanup costs. bery attempt while riding atop the migration offices. At least six mass Migrants traveling in recent throw their money in the trash,” she Donor fatigue has set in here train. outbreaks have occurred at the lo- caravans say they sustained them- said. “The only ones helping are the in Mexico’s poorest state, where “I’m scared of returning to my cal immigration detention center. selves on nothing more than man- church.” priests say people initially respond- country,” he said from a shelter in “There are people spending gos growing along the roadside and Signs of empathy still emerge in ed to images of impoverished mi- Ciudad Ixtepec, some 250 miles months there,” Sister Bertha said. water offered by civil protection of- the region. In Mapastapec, parish- grants fleeing their countries, but from the Guatemala border. “But She warned of health problems ficials. State police ticketed truckers ioners at the St. Peter the Apostle became jaded as the caravans keep there’s nothing here for me.” such infections and diarrhea in offering rides in empty trailers and church traditionally break bread on coming. Caravans are can no longer travel children due to a lack of sanitation. on flatbeds. Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. “People no longer respond to openly through Mexico, prompting The Missionaries of the Resur- Civil protection officials offered But this year, they provided meals the immigration issue,” said Father some migrants like Solorzano to rected Christ provide one meal a water as migrants walked under for 2,000 migrants passing through Cesar Canaveral Perez, diocesan return to a risk ride north: the “Bes- day of rice with eggs or potatoes or a the scorching-hot sun, while the town instead. n WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | May 24-June 6, 2019 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE Chaplains serve those who sacrifice for country GLENDA MEEKINS of the Florida Catholic staff ORLANDO | Growing up while his father served in the U.S. Air Force, Father Chris Dorsey was always around military bases. “A lot of times, the chapel on base was where we would go to Mass on Sundays,” he recalled. “It was just part of my faith growing up, seeing (chaplains), not just how they min- istered to those in the military, but to their families as well.” From May 2015 until May 2019, Father Dorsey served at Holy Redeemer and St. Rose of Lima Parishes, both in Kissimmee, and then moved to St. James Cathedral in Orlan- do. Starting June 4, Father Dorsey will begin his three-year tour as an active-duty Army chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base in Missouri. Father Dorsey recalled how chap- lains on the base helped him form his own faith. And now he can pay it forward to mem- Archdiocese for the Military Services bers of the military and their families through Archbishop Timothy Broglio stands with Deacon Adam Marchese with his parents, Dominick, a retired fire chief, and Colleen, his ministry as a priest. Father Chris Dorsey at his ordination at St. at his commissioning. (COURTESY) “I think it was always part of my call to the James Cathedral in Orlando, May 23, 2015. priesthood. God graced me with the abilities (LINDA CALDWELL I FC) ‘... (S)ervicemen and women FYI to live that lifestyle and have the physicality that’s needed for it,” Father Dorsey said. “It’s “I think it was always part of while on tour, in particular, During this year’s Chrism Mass celebrated very much a time when people need the Lord throughout the Middle East, by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, of the and get him the least, especially the Army. For my call to the priesthood. God Archdiocese for the Military Services, the the most part, they are 18 to 25-year-olds who graced me with the abilities to may not see a priest for six archbishop quoted Msgr. William Arnold, are not only dealing with what every 18 to who served as Army Chief of Chaplains months. ... It’s really the desire during World War II. In it, the archbishop 25-year-old is dealing with, which is enough, live that lifestyle and have the borrowed the words that reflect the role of but also separation from family and every- to serve where the greatest physicality that’s needed for it.’ a military Catholic chaplain: “Your sacrifice thing that’s going on as well as people attack- need is and serve those who is real, leaving organized, well-equipped ing them and the high stress aspects of that — Father Chris Dorsey parishes and comfortable homes to preach job.