Donald Trump must welcome and protect refugees and immigrants as the next President of the United States, the country's Catholic bishops said on Monday.

In a statement posted to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' website, they said: "We believe the family unit is the cornerstone of society, so it is vital to protect the integrity of the family. For this reason, we are reminded that behind every 'statistic' is a person who is a mother, father, son, daughter, sister or brother and has dignity as a child of God.

"We pray that as the new administration begins its role leading our country, it will recognize the contributions of refugees and immigrants to the overall prosperity and well-being of our nation. We will work to promote humane policies that protect refugee and immigrants' inherent dignity, keep families together, and honor and respect the laws of this nation.

"Serving and welcoming people fleeing violence and conflict in various regions of the world," the statement continued, "is part of our identity as Catholics. The Church will continue this life-saving tradition.

"Today, with more than 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, the need to welcome refugees and provide freedom from persecution is more acute than ever and 80 of our dioceses across the country are eager to continue this wonderful act of accompaniment born of our Christian faith."

The bishops said they "stand ready to work with a new administration to continue to ensure that refugees are humanely welcomed without sacrificing our security or our core values as Americans. A duty to welcome and protect newcomers, particularly refugees, is an integral part of our mission to help our neighbors in need.

"We pray for President-elect Trump and all leaders in public life, that they may rise to the responsibilities entrusted to them with grace and courage. And may all of us as Catholics and Americans remain a people of solidarity with others in need and a nation of hospitality which treats others as we would like to be treated."

Catholic dioceses came under fire during the run-up to last week's presidential election after 30 governors asked the Obama administration to suspend the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the US over security concerns in the wake of the Paris attacks in November 2015.

Archbishop Joseph Tobin of Indianapolis was asked by Governor Mike Pence – now Vice President-elect – not to house a family of Syrian refugees in his diocese.

He refused to back down, however, and the family were resettled after offers of private assistance were made to fund the family's relocation, which made up for government aid blocked by Pence.

The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement last year saying he was "concerned" by calls to stop welcoming those fleeing persecution in the Middle East.

"These refugees are fleeing terror themselves – violence like we have witnessed in Paris. They are extremely vulnerable families, women, and children who are fleeing for their lives. We cannot and should not blame them for the actions of a terrorist organisation," Bishop Eusebio Elizondo said.

He warned that terror attacks were being used to "scapegoat all refugees".

Trump called throughout his campaign for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States", but the statement promising this has disappeared from his website since his election.

In his victory speech, he toned down his typically divisive rhetoric and called for unity, pledging to stand for civil liberties and to be "president for all Americans".

A majority of Catholics (52 per cent) voted for Trump, while 45 per cent backed his rival Hillary Clinton.