For the last several weeks, our nation has followed with interest the changes in our government. Most especially, with the inauguration of President Donald Trump, not just the government but the whole country is undergoing a certain level of transition.

This happens virtually every time Congress or the presidency not only change, but change in party affiliation.

Many of the changes, to this point, are related to presidential executive orders. So far President Trump has issued quite a number of executive orders. In many cases, people of faith and good will may differ on the policy implications related to them.

However, one is particularly welcome. On Jan. 23, President Trump, by executive order, reinstituted the so-called “Mexico City Policy” that prohibits federal funding for foreign non-governmental organizations that perform or promote abortion services for family planning.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, on behalf of the bishops of the United States, praised this decision for respecting the gift of human life as well as the consciences of those who do not wish to be involved in providing abortion services.

During the recently completed presidential campaign, much discussion took place about immigration policy and reform. On Jan. 27, President Trump issued an executive order temporarily suspending the entrance in the U.S. of foreign-born individuals from seven countries, reducing the overall number of refugees allowed entrance annually into the United States, and suspending the entrance of refugees from Syria, while study is made of the security implications related to the identification and screening of refugees.

The issue of immigration policy has long been a source of controversy and division in the United States. As people of faith, what principles should guide us in thinking about, praying for and engaging this question?

The first reading last Sunday was from the Prophet Isaiah. It reminded us, “Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless” (Is 58:7).

Jesus Himself told us that at the last judgment we will hear, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

Pope Francis has been outspoken about the need for generosity in the world, especially for refugees. Most recently he has called for protection, integration and long-term solutions for migrants. Protection because they are vulnerable, integration both by the receiving societies and by the migrants to solidify solidarity, and long term solutions for the root causes motivating the departures of people from their homelands.

The Holy Father has added yet another element to these considerations. He has called for prudence on the part of governments in determining how many individuals can be received and helped. He sees this as particularly important in the integration of refugees into the society that receives them.

In a very balanced way, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston has recently stated, “Those who seek to do us harm must be kept from our shores, but those fleeing persecution in need of hope and ready to help us build a better America must be welcomed.

“We need not sink into the darkness of isolation. Comprehensive immigration reform and a humane refugee policy are equally necessary and possible,” he said.

We live in a world that is dangerous and afflicted by terrorism. Even in that context, however, we are first and foremost followers of Jesus.

We simply cannot be indifferent to those who, with family and especially with children, flee the terrors and oppressions that afflict their native lands. What would we do in their place? What hopes would we have for help from others?

What all sides agree upon is that our current immigration system is broken. As such, it is a source of both problems and abuses. Still, we cannot renounce the human and spiritual obligations to assist those in need: the refugees from war-torn countries or from nations that persecute their people due to their religion.

The coming months will surely  give other opportunities for people of faith and good will to come together to respond to the many complexities recognized by all in regard to immigration.

In the meantime, I am proud that our Catholic Charities will continue to assist and serve those who have already come to the Rockford Diocese. That work continues our proud and spiritual tradition in the diocese of assisting those who have come to us with such great needs.