It is a unified front against immigration enforcement operations.
The last time the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops came together to issue a special message was 12 years ago in response to the government's contraceptive mandate. This time, the topic was immigration.
Cardinal Cupich is insisting cardinals take a stand against the mass deportations currently taking place around the country.
"How can we say to people who are suffering in this moment that we stand with you if we don't clearly say that we are opposed to the indiscriminate deportation of people," Cupich said.
Speaking out ahead of Thursday's nearly unanimous vote, Cardinal Cupich insisted on what he believed was a key point that needed to be included in the U.S. bishops' first public, unified statement regarding the ongoing immigration enforcement operations going on nationwide.
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"That kind of indiscriminate deportation, or at least arresting protocol, is something that is not American," Cupich said. "We cannot create a police state in our neighborhoods. People cannot be living in fear of coming outdoors and wondering what is going to happen in their streets."
Reflecting a unity not seen amongst the U.S Bishops in a long time, the statement was put out in writing, but also, in a sign of the times, on social media, saying, "We feel compelled now, in this environment to raise our voices, in defense of God-given human dignity."
The special message came just weeks after Pope Leo XIV spoke out.
"Someone who says I'm against abortion, but I'm in agreement with the inhumane treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don't know if that's pro-life," Pope Leo said.
Cardinal Cupich on Thursday echoed the letter, and he stated the time is now for comprehensive immigration reform.
"We have 10 million people here who don't have documents," Cupich said. "How do we reasonably deal with that issue and maybe there is a point where we can have common ground?"
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In the meantime, however, the cardinal is calling on all Americans to remember their own origins.
"Welcome the stranger," Cupich said. "We're better off because of the immigration we've had in this country. We have to remember who we are as Americans."
In addition to the special message, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week announced the creation of what is being called the "You are not alone initiative," with a focus on, amongst other things, emergency and family support for migrants.