Following the Tennessee bishops’ statement on immigration enforcement and the dignity of migrants and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ special message on immigration, the Diocese of Knoxville will host a regional gathering on the Catholic Church’s response to migration from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The gathering, themed “Deepening Our Moral Witness,” serves the dioceses in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, and Virginia.
The day will include training and essential information on Catholic social teaching on migration, solidarity with immigrant communities in a time of mass deportations, communication strategies, and diocesan and parish planning.
Bishop Mark Beckman will celebrate a noon Mass and, along with Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., will give a presentation at the event.
Catholic Charities workers and volunteers, parish leaders, leaders of social ministries, those in Catholic health care or Catholic education, members of communications teams, and those serving in Hispanic and multicultural ministries are invited to participate in the daylong event.
Registration is $25 and includes breakfast and lunch. If financial support is needed, e-mail Monica Andrews at mandrews@hopeborder.org for assistance. Register or learn about hotel arrangements at dioknox.org/events/deepening-our-moral-witness.
The Tennessee bishops’ statement on immigration can be viewed at dioknox.org/news/tenn-bishops-on-immigration-enforcement-dignity-of-migrants. The USCCB special message on immigration can be viewed at www.usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-issue-special-message-immigration-plenary-assembly-baltimore.