Fr. Gary Graf -DACA-ACP

DACA and the ACP

Fr. Gary Graf, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has committed himself to a hunger fast until reasonable legislation is passed dealing with DACA. As chair for the ACP, I ask all our members to choose one day a week to fast and pray in union with Gary and to support all the efforts finding a solution that helps keep families together. I encourage you to also include a prayer of the faithful in your Sunday petitions dealing with this as well.

Our country was founded by those fleeing oppression to establish a unique form of government. The Statue of Liberty is seen as the iconic symbol of our values as a nation.

Inscription on the Statue of Liberty
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
- Author: Emma Lazarus

Rev. Ken Fleck
ACP chairman

Fr. Gary Graf is pastor of St. Procopius parish in Pilsen. On January 15, Fr. Gary Graf committed himself to a hunger fast (protein powder and water) for as long as he can, until reasonable legislation is passed dealing with DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA is an Obama program that shields young immigrants who came to the country illegally as children. The Trump administration had pledged that the program would end March 5, though that deadline has come and gone. Fr. Graf wants to show his support of local “Dreamers.” “We are all immigrants, and we’re here to support one another,” “Yes, it’s dramatic,” he said. “It’s a way in which we pray for our political leaders and invite them to do their jobs.” Cardinal Cupich has offered his support of Fr. Graf and has asked the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese to join him in solidarity by fasting one day a week. Fr. Graf said, “We’re here to be involved in saving the soul of our nation, to remind ourselves where we come from.”

Cardinal Cupich, September 5, 2017
... An immediate first step is for our leaders to pass legislation that will protect those previously covered by the DACA program, while they deal with the long-overdue comprehensive reform of our immigration system. They must be guided by compassion and respect for human dignity... . With the bishops in this country, we remain committed to upholding the dignity of all persons and the fundamental right of all to live free from fear in the nation founded on that promise.

USCCB, September 7, 2017
... We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward a legislative solution. We pledge our support to work on finding an expeditious means of protection for DACA youth. As people of faith, we say to DACA youth – regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for you."

Pope Francis, September 10, 2017
...I have heard it said that the president of the United States presents himself as a man who is pro-life, and if he is a good pro-life [man] then he will understand that the family is the cradle of life, and that it must be defended as a unit.

AUSCP, January 26, 2018
... We support our brother priest in his public action, taken to help young immigrants who came illegally to this country as children,” said Rev. Bernard “Bob” Bonnot, chair of the AUSCP leadership team. “We will pray for Father Graf and the cause he has espoused. We commit our leadership team to fast, if possible, at least one day a week until this issue is resolved. We encourage our members to join us....

Helping you understand DACA, Godoy Law Firm (The ACP does not make any endorsement of this law firm)