Occasional Papers
Between 1972 and 2004, CMS published “occasional papers” on immigration research and policy issues and on the pastoral care of immigrants. Research and policy topics covered in this collection include the integration of Italian American families; low-wage and skilled immigrant workers; legalization programs; employer sanctions; housing issues related to new immigrants; migration and development; civil liberties and national security. The pastoral series includes papers on the theology of migration; the pastoral care of migrants; Vatican II; and the Catholic Church’s response to refugees and immigrants. The collection includes eminent authors like: Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini (founder of the Missionaries of St. Charles); Graziano Battistella, C.S.; Austin Fragomen, Jr.; Anne Marie and Jacques Gaillard; Andrew Greely; Charles Keely; Donald Kerwin; Mark Miller; Demetrios Papademetriou; Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, C.S.; Charles Wheeler; and Diana Zimmerman.
For years, these papers were only available for purchase, but CMS is now pleased to provide these papers online for free.
Occasional Papers: Documentation Series
Silvano M. Tomasi
Migration in Light of Vatican II
The aim of the study is to assess the teaching of the Second Vatican Council with regard to internal and external migration, and to understand the economic, psychological and spiritual needs of migrants in order to assist them through pastoral work. It focuses particularly on the ramifications of a migrant’s......
Lydio F. Tomasi
The Italian American Family: The Southern Italian Family’s Process of Adjustment to an Urban America
The study examines the social world of southern Italians, the intergenerational process from familism to individualism, and the interplay between the individual, family and society. While many social scientists argue that migration, urbanization, and acculturation weaken or destroy kinship bonds outside the nuclear family, “modified extended family” theorists argue that......
Silvano M. Tomasi
Ethnic Heritage and Cultural Pluralism in the USA
The paper discusses two forms of ethnic identification in American society: the cultural world to which immigrants and socially and economically marginal racial groups cling and the “new ethnics” who utilized ethnic awareness to fulfill emotional or pragmatic goals. The climate of ethnic awareness in the American political and academic......
Austin T. Fragomen, Jr.
The Illegal Alien – A Criminal or Economic Refugee?
Despite their contributions to American society, immigrants have been the targets of irrational and discriminatory attacks in times of national crisis and economic downturn. The paper explores nativist movements in the United States and the threat to the human rights of immigrant workers. It also argues that many “illegal aliens”......
Lydio F. Tomasi
The Ethnic Factor in the Future of Inequality
The paper explores inequality, elitist vs. minority perspectives, and a pluralistic theory of ethnicity. It discusses the issues of culture and ethnicity within the framework of the relative positioning of different groups in society and the interactions among and between groups. It further argues that the ultimate aim of social......
Bishop Alfred Ancel
Theology of the Local Church in Relation to Migration
This paper concerns the responsibility of local churches regarding the care of migrants and includes an opening message by Pope Paul VI on the subject. The ideal of treatment of migrants and attitudes toward foreigners is compared to the lived experience, racism and exploitation of migrants. The paper then discusses......
Charles B. Keely and Silvano M. Tomasi
The Disposable Worker: Historical and Comparative Perspectives on Clandestine Migration
Clandestine immigration is cyclical in nature as a result of the institutionalized absorption and expulsion of workers as determined by labor needs in the host country. The historical relationship between the US and Mexico (which continues to the present day) demonstrates this, and the article argues that Mexican immigrants as......
Desmon Storer, Freda Hawkins, and Silvano M. Tomasi
Amnesty for Undocumented Migrants: The Experience of Australia, Canada and Argentina
Three papers document the amnesty policies of Australia, Canada and Argentina, respectively. The historical, political and economic contexts are discussed as they relate to the reasons that amnesty was granted. The way in which amnesty policies were carried out is also elaborated upon, as well as implications for US policy..........
Ralph Della Cava
Resources for the Study of Italian Emigration
A directory of libraries and archives in Rome and Florence that are useful in researching Italian emigration..........
Silvano M. Tomasi
An Annotated Bibliography of Serials on Migration
The paper lists and annotates publications dedicated to migration studies, organized by country..........
Charles B. Keely, Patricia Elwell, Austin Fragomen, Jr., and Silvano M. Tomasi
Profiles on Undocumented Aliens in New York City: Haitians and Dominicans
The paper examines the profiles of undocumented Haitians and Dominicans in New York City. Specifically, it looks at the personal and family background characteristics of the migrants, their participation in the labor force, their usage of social services and tax payment or withholding. The data is used to conclude that......
Sergio Diaz Briquets
International Migration within Latin America and the Caribbean: An Overview
The author discusses the direction and magnitude of international migration flows as well as the largely economic determinants of intraregional and international migration within Latin America and the Caribbean. The exploration of determinants includes sections on population growth, social and political conflict, improvements in communication and transportation, wage differentials and......
Demetrios Papademetriou
New Immigrants to Brooklyn and Queens: Policy Implications Especially with Regard to Housing
The article discusses migration patterns in New York City with emphasis on the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. It also examines the characteristics of the housing market in New York with regard to the issue of race and ethnicity as well as the social and economic adjustment of new immigrants.......
Mark J. Miller
Employer Sanctions in Western Europe
The study examines illegal immigration issues in Western Europe, including the employment of illegal aliens and patterns of illegal residency. It is also concerned with the development and enforcement of employer sanctions aimed at curbing illegal immigration. It argues that employer sanctions don’t result in discrimination against minorities and can......
Graziano Battistella
The Poverty Status of Italian Americans in the City of New York
The report describes the poverty status of Italian Americans in New York City and compares it to that of the white non-hispanic population in the same area using the 1980 census. The data indicates that the year of the census, 100 thousand Italian Americans in New York were below poverty......
Gionni Agostinelli
Migration-Development Interrelationships: The Case of the Philippines
The paper examines the magnitude and demographics of the Philippine Migration, including its geographical distribution, social and economic characteristics, as well as Filipino participation in the US labor market. It also looks at the impact of migration on development and vice versa. It argues that rapid population growth but slow......
Mark J. Miller and Robert A. Denemark
Migration and World Politics: A Critical Case for Theory and Policy
The paper argues that because international migration is an interdisciplinary study, theories developed in different branches of the social sciences are applied inconsistently to work on migration; as a result it is difficult to evaluate or further develop theories. The work approaches global migration from the framework of five major......
Anne Marie Gaillard
Migration Return: A Bibliographical Overview
The paper seeks to find commonalities in the literature on the voluntary return of economic/labor migrants as well as forced migrants (displaced persons or refugees). It includes anthropological, economic, historical and psychological works, among others. The text is organized into three parts: a bibliometric analysis of the parameters of the......
Mark J. Miller
Between Revolution and Stasis: US Immigration and Refugee Policy in 1996
The paper examines the hostility of the domestic political climate in the US with regard to foreign assistance, although US policymakers were aware of the linkages between development and migration. As a result, the US was slow to adapt to the world’s interconnectivity. The authors predicted that the US would......
Charles Keely
Globalization and Human Resource Management: Nonimmigrant Visa Strategies and Behavior of US Firms
The paper is split into three sections. The first section provides a background on US immigration policy and changes in the economy and employment needs as a result of the growth of knowledge-base activities.The second section outlines the three main programs using four types of nonimmigrant visas to move international......
Anne Marie Gaillard and Jacques Gaillard
International Migration of the Highly Qualified: A Bibliographic and Conceptual Itinerary
The paper presents a database of works on migration of highly skilled people internationally. The sources were compiled to analyze the interest in the “brain drain” over a 40 year period, using the characteristics of the bibliography (chronology, prolific authors, journal location, etc.)..........
Donald Kerwin
America’s Second Class Non-Citizens: Why an Amnesty Won’t Suffice
The article argues that the US risks becoming a “dual society” in which recent immigrants are denied the right to participate in government, are separated from their families, barred from receiving public benefits and exploited economically. It uses these indicators to described a “growing subclass of non-citizens” and analyzes the......
Donald Kerwin
Migrants, Borders and National Security: US Immigration Policy since September 11, 2001
The paper discusses US immigration law, policy and practice following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is divided into several chapters detailing refugees and asylum seekers, border and interior enforcement, anti-terror measures and developments in the detention system. It argues that in fighting terrorism, it is counterproductive to isolate the 30......
Donald Kerwin, Harry Brandon, Vincent Cannistraro and Angela Kelley
Immigration Policy, Law Enforcement and National Security
The paper argues that immigration policy is increasingly a result of national security concerns, despite the fact that the linkages between the two areas are not simple or well understood. The intersection of immigration law with law enforcement and intelligence are therefore unfamiliar but crucial issues. The paper is a......
Donald Kerwin and Charles Wheeler
The Case for Legalization, Lessons from 1986 and Recommendations for the Future
The article argues that a legalization program will be required in the near future in the United States. It describes the increasing socio-economic gap between the nation’s native- and foreign-born persons (particularly the undocumented) and presents evidence that a program is necessary from various frameworks including that of immigrant families,......
Occasional Papers: Pastoral Series
Michael G. Wenk, Rev. Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s., and Dr. Eleanor Rogg
A New Parish Every Four Days: U.S. Immigration and its Catholic Component
This paper emphasizes that the United States is a nation of immigrants and provides a brief history of U.S. immigration laws. Based on this brief history, it seeks to estimate the numbers of Catholic immigrants coming to the United States in the future years. The paper concludes that one new......
Peter Corbellini, c.s.
Approaches to the Theology of Migration
This paper seeks to look at migration from a theological perspective. It seeks to interpret human reality from the view of God. It asks questions such as what God tells those who have citizenship and privileges in their home country, as well as those who emigrate or are forced to......
Bishop Scalabrini’s Plan for the Pastoral Care of Migrants of All Nationalities
This paper includes many important documents and correspondences by Scalabrini for the first time. The documents included in this paper showcase Scalabrini’s global plan for all migrants. He was prompted to action by his understanding of the episcopal ministry as a service to the most powerless and marginal groups of......
Silvano M. Tomasi
Pastoral and Canonical Innovations of Pastoralis Migratorum Cura
This paper examines the innovations of the new document, Pastoralis Migratorum Cura. Major areas of change include the shift in trends, volume, and characteristics of the migratory phenomenon; and the appearance of new structures and pastoral methods in the post-conciliar church. It also provides new ideological commitments as well as......
Michael G. Wenk and Rev. Silvano M. Tomasi
Cultural Pluralism and Ethnic Heritage in a Catholic Dimension: Towards the Establishment of a Diocesan Office for Newcomers
This paper outlines several aspects of the establishment of a Diocesan Office for Newcomers. Concepts include the decision process for the office’s name, derived in an attempt to avoid labeling individuals with the word immigrant. The goals and functions (research, education, coordination), priorities, structure, budget, etc. of the new office......
Andrew M. Greeley
The Church, National Parish and Immigration: Same Old Mistakes
The author claims that it frequently seems that we are witnessing a replay of all the mistakes made at the turn of the century with the native American Catholic Church first pretending that the immigrants weren’t there, then dismissing them as a not very serious problem. The paper emphasizes generational......
Velasio De Paolis, c.s.
The Pastoral Care of Migrants in the Teaching and in the Directives of the Church
This paper addresses the Scalabrinian apostolate among the migrants and the history and analysis of church doctrine on the migrants. It views the migratory phenomenon above all, although not exclusively, as it is seen within the Church itself. It emphasizes that the church’s main duty in regards to migrants is......
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
The Pastoral Action of Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini and His Missionaries Among Immigrants In The Americas 1887-1987
This paper is a preliminary reflection on methods of pastoral service to migrants in the Scalabrinian tradition. It outlines the pastoral method, interventions carried out, proposed interventions left incomplete, as well as ideas about the future. It reviews the history of pastoral care and then analyzes the motives, methods, and......
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
The Response of the Catholic Church in the United States to Immigrants and Refugees
This paper outlines the relationship between immigration in the U.S. and the Catholic Church. It outlines several methods to aid in the pastoral care of immigrants: sensitivity and ability to alter ‘historic’ structures to permit the inclusion and participation of language-culture groups, creation of multilingual parish communities, and development leadership......
Velasio De Paolis, c.s.
Evolution of the Mission of the Scalabrinian Congregation
This study follows the historical evolution of the Scalabrini Congregation. In particular, it questions whether the foundation of Bishop Scalabrini was to remain tied only to the pastoral care of the Italians and their descendants or was it to opened also to other groups of migrants. It concludes that the......
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
A Scalabrinian Mission among Polish Immigrants in Boston 1893-1909
This paper describes Scalabrini’s mission among Polish Immigrants. The paper states that the evolution of Scalabrini’s understanding of his Congregation and the peculiar style of group belonging and identity of the first missionaries seem to explain the events and the development of the Polish Scalabrinian mission in Boston. Scalabrini took......
Graziano Battistella, c.s.
Itinerant Missions: Alternate Experiences in the History of Scalabrinians in North America Author: Graziano Battistella, c.s.
This study defines Bishops Scalabrini’s concept of itinerant missions, how that concept was implemented by the first missionaries, and monitors the resurgence of the idea in the history of the Scalabrinian Congregation in the United States. It also includes considerations on current missionary action..........
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
A Lesson from History: The Integration of Immigrants in the Pastoral Practice of the Church in the United States
This paper explores the connection between ethnic and social backgrounds, particularly religion, to historical patterns of immigration. It states that ethnicity is a dynamic force that keeps the church in constant flux and that contributes to its constant creativity..........
J. J. Smolicz
Ethnicity and Multiculturalism in the Australian Catholic Church
This paper states the need for the Church to respond to the cultural diversity among the faithful, by relying on its own tradition of pluralism and universalism. It describes the Catholic faith as a faith which provides a unifying framework within which a great diversity of cultures can flourish..........
Velasio De Paolis, c.s.
The Pastoral Care of Migrants in the Directives of the Church
This paper was presented at the IX Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People held in Rome on October 24-26, 1988. It includes a description of the term “migrant,” the need for pastoral care, and other details pertaining to pastoral care of......
Ezio Marchetto, c.s.
The Catholic Church and the Phenomenon of Migration: An Overview
This paper provides a history of migrant care provided by the Catholic Church, important fathers of the church involved with migrants, and a description of relevant pontifical documents on migration. The papal teachings have been interpreted throughout the ages as a call upon the Church to be directly involved in......
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
The Pastoral Challenges of the New Immigration
This paper includes descriptions of the historical link between religion and the immigrants’ culture and mobility, key issues in today’s ministry of immigrants, and practical steps that can be indicated in response to the pastoral needs of newcomers. These steps include sharing of religious experiences stories across cultural groups, the......
Claudio De Dominicis
Italian Immigrants in the Archives of the Apostolic Delegation of the United States
This source is an extensive archive of the Apostolic Delegation of the United States. It shows the large Catholic representation of the delegates, which lead them to stand not just for the Holy See, but also for Italian emigrants. .........
Silvano M. Tomasi, c.s.
Today’s Refugees and the World of Communications
This paper explores how refugees are represented in today’s media. It states that the news media paint pictures that tell their viewers and readers that we live in a messy world. The Church calls upon the media to promote an ethical and just understanding of refugees, rather than sensationalizing them.......