The Work of the Migrant Farmworker: Social Doctrine of the Church on the Dignity of Work

November 26, 2024

By Teresita de Jesús Kontos, Lay Ecclesial Minister

Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. (James 5:4)

The migrant farmworkers, rooted in the land they cultivate, embody the principles of the Church’s Social Teaching on the dignity of work and workers’ rights, solidarity, care for God’s creation, and the common good. Their hard work and dedication not only feed their families, but the entire world. These principles, deeply rooted in their lives, are essential for the survival and progress of humanity.

Yuma County, located in southwestern Arizona, is known as the “winter vegetable capital of the world” because of its thriving agricultural industry. Like many regions of the country, its workforce is largely made up of migrant workers who arrive via the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers. These workers, mostly Mexican, are frequently exposed to difficult working conditions, including extreme climates that range from hot summers to bitterly cold winters. They are also constantly in contact with dangerous pesticides that can affect their long-term health. Grueling workdays that last from dawn to dusk only make their situation worse.

Despite their tireless efforts and important contribution to the agricultural economy, these workers face serious problems of social isolation due to the prolonged period of separation from their families, which deeply affect their emotional and mental well-being. In addition to the labor risks and abuses they endure, unfair wages and linguistic and cultural barriers significantly restrict their ability to integrate and receive community support. This scenario not only accentuates the adverse conditions faced by these workers, but also points to the urgent need to recognize and value their efforts from a lens of solidarity that honors their dignity, labor rights, and contributions.

The Magisterium of the Catholic Church has been affirming the rights of workers, particularly the most disadvantaged, for over a century. In May 1891, Pope Leo XIII focused on the defense of worker’s rights and the promotion of social justice in the industrial age in his encyclical, Rerum Novarum. In this encyclical, Pope Leo XIII strongly condemned the exploitation of workers, pointing out that exploiting and defrauding workers in need of a fair wage is a great crime condemned by divine and human laws (n.15).

The Social Doctrine of the Church has shown a deep concern for the dignity of work and the rights of workers as well as the difficult circumstances faced by agricultural workers. This commitment is reflected in their constant appeals to social justice in defense of labor rights, emphasizing the importance of fairer and more humane conditions.

The Catholic bishops of the United States, motivated by this concern, have published pastoral letters and annual statements expressing their solidarity with workers and proposing concrete actions to value the dignity of work. An example of these letters is the pastoral document For I Was Hungry & You Gave Me Food. In this document, the bishops declare that providing food for all is a Gospel imperative. The bishops note that “agriculture is the way in which farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers provide a decent living for their families and help feed a hungry world. It is not simply another economic activity” (Introduction, p.1). Indeed, the dignity of work touches every aspect of our lives, affecting how we treat those who produce our food as well as those who lack it. The increasing concentration of technological advancements and globalization harms rural communities. These issues have essential ethical and human dimensions for Catholics.

In the Labor Day Statement 2024, the bishops reaffirmed their commitment to building a society that honors the human dignity of all workers. The bishops emphasized that “our Catholic faith calls us to pray, work, and advocate for protections that allow all workers to thrive, both those new to our country and those whose families have been here for generations.” This call to action reflects a continuity of Catholic Social Teaching, which has always valued the dignity of work and the rights of workers, promoting an environment where every worker can live with dignity and receive fair treatment.

In keeping with these principles, the Diocese of Tucson created the Pastoral Campesina under the direction of the Hispanic Ministry Office. This ministry aims to serve the sacramental and pastoral needs of migrant farmworkers and rural immigrants in the Vicariate of Yuma/La Paz. Its goals include developing appropriate and effective evangelization strategies, and offering catechesis that considers the culture, language, work schedules, level of education, and possibilities for participation of agricultural workers. In addition, the ministry collaborates as a liaison between agencies that provide social and legal assistance programs. It also raises awareness among agricultural workers about the importance of supporting organizations that advocate for better working conditions, wages, housing, and health.

Thanks to the support and close collaboration with various local and national organizations, a wide range of information and basic services have been provided to agricultural workers. One of the most outstanding organizations in this effort is the Catholic Migrant Farmworker Network (CMFN). CMFN has benefited the Yuma County community for over a decade. Through workshops and pastoral leadership courses, CMFN has trained many community members, strengthening their ability to advocate for their rights and improve their living conditions. One of their most recent initiatives that is being promoted in this community is El Sembrador. This program not only trains leaders for a sustainable agricultural ministry that welcomes and protects farmworkers, but also promotes their integration into the parish and the broader community. Inspired by the teachings of Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship, this program reflects the Church's commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment, where agricultural workers can thrive and find constant support. 

According to the Holy Father, “When our neighbor is a migrant, complex challenges arise. It is true that the ideal would be to avoid unnecessary migration, and the way to do this is to create in the countries of origin the effective possibility of living and growing with dignity, so that the conditions for one's own integral development can be found there. But as long as there is no serious progress in this direction, it is our duty to respect the right of every human being to find a place where he can not only satisfy his basic needs and those of his family, but also develop himself fully as a person” (Fratelli Tutti, n.129).

Given this reality, it would be good to ask ourselves:

How can we apply the teachings of the Apostle James on justice in the workplace today?

How can the community support workers who are being exploited in defending their dignity and labor rights?

What can we do to ensure that our labor policies and consumer habits honor the dignity of the migrant farmer as an essential worker and child of God, made in his image and likeness?

The teachings of Sacred Scripture and the principles of the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church on the dignity of work and the rights of workers remind us of the importance of living our faith through concrete actions. The life of the migrant farmer is a living testimony of our faith, human fraternity, and social friendship. These teachings and ethical principles provide us with a guide to build a more just and humane society that promotes the inclusion and support of agricultural workers within the communities where they work. Only in this way can we move towards the ethic of solidarity, participation, and hope.

About the Author:

Teresita de Jesús Kontos is a Mexican-born wife and mother of two children. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Communication in Mexico. In 2017, she was certified as a lay ecclesial minister by the Diocese of Tucson. She is currently in her second year of the Pastoral Studies Bilingual MA at Loyola University Chicago. For two decades, Teresita has volunteered in various ministries of the Hispanic Apostolate at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma, Arizona. She works as the coordinator of the Pastoral Campesina where she promotes pastoral ministry for farmworkers, offering sacramental and pastoral support, networking, activities, and resources. Additionally, she advocates for this population at the national level through her collaboration as president of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Migrant Farmworkers Network (CMFN).