Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Ohio’s bishops are urging Catholics and all people of goodwill to “turn to God and ask for eyes to see the infinite dignity of every person” amid false claims surrounding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, which have prompted bomb threats and hoaxes.

“Today, our nation is divided by partisanship and ideology, which blind us to the image of God in our neighbor, especially the unborn, the poor, and the stranger,” said the bishops in a Sept. 19 statement.

“These negative sentiments are only exacerbated by gossip, which can spread quickly across social media with no concern for the truth or those involved,” they added.

During a Sept. 10 televised presidential debate, former President Donald Trump referenced an influx of some 15,000 legal Haitian migrants to Springfield. He declared before 67 million viewers, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country.”

When debate moderator David Muir of ABC News countered that the town’s city manager had advised there were “no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Trump repeated his allegation.

The day prior, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, had begun spreading the rumor — believed to have been introduced on social media — even as his staff was informed by Springfield officials that it was “baseless.” Vance also alleged that communicable diseases had spread due to the migrants’ presence; however, The Wall Street Journal later reported county health records showed communicable diseases at their lowest since 2015.

Vance insisted in a CNN interview that he had received “firsthand accounts from my constituents” about pet-eating claims but admitted to interviewer Dana Bash, “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Ohio’s bishops pointed to St. James’ warning that “the tongue is a fire,” urging against perpetuating ill will based on unfounded gossip. They called for prayers and support for all residents of Springfield as they integrate their new Haitian neighbors.

The bishops emphasized Catholic immigrants' historical contributions and quoted Pope Pius XII's 1952 apostolic constitution “Exsul Familia Nazarethana,” highlighting ongoing church support for migrants.

They noted migration's root causes such as conflict and economic hardship and stressed welcoming newcomers while enforcing reasonable immigration limits.

The bishops acknowledged strain on Springfield's resources due to recent migrant influxes but commended community efforts toward integration.

They reiterated Catholic Church efforts addressing migration causes globally and referenced Pope Francis' reminder that all are migrants headed toward "the Kingdom of Heaven."

Ahead of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 29, they urged reflection on supporting those living in societal shadows without judgment.

The letter was signed by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr (Cincinnati), Bishop David J. Bonnar (Youngstown), Bishop John Michael Botean (Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St. George in Canton), Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo (Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma), Bishop Earl K. Fernandes (Columbus), Bishop Edward M. Lohse (Kalamazoo) serving as apostolic administrator (Diocese of Steubenville), Bishop Edward C. Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael G. Woost (Cleveland), Bishop Robert M. Pipta (Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma), and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas (Toledo).