The Practice of Migration with Dignity towards Justice

The Episcopal Church recently adopted a framework to guide migration ministry called Migration with Dignity which exemplifies operative ecclesiology. In response to pastoral concerns, Episcopalians engaged in practical/congregational ministry with immigrants have contributed to Anglican identity formation by foregrounding stranger care as a key implication of the Baptismal Covenant with ramifications extending to the diocesan and national levels. Relatedly, Jesse Zink has highlighted migration as one of three interlocking crises that must be addressed by Episcopalians. Thus, in this paper I take up MWD to address this pressing issue, documenting its emergence as a baptismal ecclesiological response to local concern and placing it in conversation with broader theologies of migration. Additionally, I illustrate the shape of MWD in practice by highlighting efforts in the Diocese of Texas. Finally, drawing from Miguel de la Torre, I introduce the possibility expanding the scope of MWD to include wealth retribution to immigrant parishes.