Posted on 12/10/2005 1:30:46 PM PST by Coleus
Tucson, Dec. 09, 2005 (CNA) - The bishops of Arizona are calling on Catholics to welcome immigrants into their parishes, whether documented or undocumented, and to work to reform the U.S. immigration laws in an effort to facilitate immigration and stem the growing number of migrant deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Arizona Catholic Conference has made this appeal in its first-ever pastoral letter on migration, titled “You Welcomed Me.” It will be officially released Dec. 12, on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Arizona has become the focal point of the immigration debate in recent years, given the concentration of border crossing at the Arizona-Mexico border, the record number of migrant deaths, and the growing presence of civilian patrol groups, noted the bishops.
In 2005, at least 261 border crossing deaths were documented in Arizona—more than half of the 460 migrant deaths reported all along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The bishops expressed their sadness about the deaths at the border, the division among citizens over the issue of immigration, and the hostility expressed toward migrants. They acknowledged “the legitimate strain of this crisis” on different aspects of society, but they reminded Catholics of their call “to live out the principles of global solidarity” and to defend the human dignity of the other.
Despite these hardships, the bishops said they believe Arizona can “lead the country to a comprehensive and permanent solution to our broken immigration system.”
Based in Scripture and teaching The bishops highlighted the scriptural foundation for the call of Catholics to “welcome the stranger,” citing the experience of the people of Israel in Egypt and their subsequent liberation, the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, and the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt as refugees.
Catholic social teaching has consistently maintained that the goods of the earth belong to all people and that it is the right of the worker to migrate to sustain their family when they are unable to achieve a life of dignity in their own land, the bishops underlined.
This teaching was stated in 1891 in the encyclical “Rerum Novarum.” It was repeated 40 years later by Pope Pius XI in his document “Quadragessimo Anno,” and then again at the end of World War II by Pope Pius XII in “Exsul Familia.”
And while Catholic teaching recognizes that nations have the right to control their own borders and to regulate immigration, “this right is not absolute,” said the bishops. Instead, they explained: “the needs of immigrants must be measured against the needs of the receiving countries, and that the rights of these nations must not be exaggerated to the point of denying access to needy people from other countries.”
Wealth of contributions There are currently about 10 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and the bishops noted their contributions, particularly in Arizona, both economically and in the Church.
For example, the bishops cited a report by the Thunderbird School of International Management, which states that Mexican immigrants generated a fiscal surplus of approximately US$106 million to Arizona in 2001.
As many of the immigrants are Catholic, they have also brought deeply rooted religious traditions and practices to parishes throughout the state, said the bishops.
“They have proven themselves to be extremely hard working and very committed to the family values we hold so dear. Many of our parishes in the state have blossomed because of the contributions of new immigrant parishioners and their families,” the bishops continued. “Finding new ways to welcome and integrate immigrants into parish life can only make us a stronger and more united Church in Arizona.”
Acknowledging the legitimate concern that undocumented immigrants are violating the law, the bishops described the country’s immigration laws as “outdated,” no longer fitting “the economic realities and security needs of our times.”
“While we do not condone undocumented immigration, we recognize that it would not be feasible to deport all of these immigrants. We must find a way to bring them out of the shadows and incorporate them into society,” said the bishops. “This will ultimately enhance national security, help stabilize the labor market in the United States, improve the living standards of immigrant communities, and encourage them to become more active participants in our society.”
The bishops said they would like others to join them in their commitment to pray for and with all those affected by this crisis; make parishes more welcoming; learn about the issues; call for comprehensive immigration reform; support efforts to reduce poverty in Mexico and Latin America; and participate in the partnership with sister dioceses in Mexico.
They have also invited priests and parishioners to reflect on these issues and to discuss ways to transform the situation. Parishes are urged to prayerfully reflect and comment in small groups on the pastoral letter, using the attached study guide.
Arizona’s bishops include Bishops Gerald Kicanas of Tucson; Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix; Donald Pelotte of Gallop, and William Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys.
For the full letter, go to:
http://www.diocesetucson.org/bishopsletter113004.html
I agree. As Christians, we are to obey civil authority-render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. No Church should be telling us to break the laws!
We certainly do! We have a winner!!!
Take a bow, jack.
These bums are leftists hiding behind the corrupt veil of compassion. They cannot reason so they default to non-think called compassion.They do not care about this country.The friend of our enemy( the invaders) is our enemy.
Agreed. I remember when I had respect for the RC. It was a long time ago. Sometime in the '60s they went socialistic, and began trying to change Our Country.
They will pay, in the end, for what they do.
BTTT
I have to wonder what the Church's motivation is for publishing this letter. Maybe the AZ Catholic Church should focus on the problems facing their own clergy first? Good grief this is absurd.
The Catholics who colonized or settled in Mexico,Central and South America as well as the Philippines assimilated by intermarrying or left the innocent natives alone except to Baptize in the name of The Father,Son and Holy Ghost and teach them what He had commanded those early Apostles to go out and do in His Name throughout the world,in perpetuity.
The history of Mexico and the Church is probably totally contrary to what you believe it to be and perhaps after Christmas someone will start a thread on it.
I will add that it was very unwise and impolitic for the two bishops and the one Bishop from Arizona to issue that vacuous,truth twisting position paper.
Sentimentalism and liberation theology seepage. Based on thinking that this world is a place of enjoyment, when its real purpose is preparation for the next.
That letter is essentially a reiteration of the Church's long standing position. It's been so for years and is available on the web. Just Google, Catholic Church Illegal Aliens. It's quite eye opening. You will see quickly that the church truly has been running an Underground Railroad for Illegals for many, many years.
You believe the church's propaganda.
The Church allowed the complete annialation of the Aztecs and the indians of Peru. The Caribes were enslaved and decimated.
The Maya culture was deemed heretical and wiped out.
Your view of the benign church is just wrong.
Thanks for the suggestion. I had no idea it was this bad.
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way." Mat 7:13
You are an idiot.
Not very "Christian" of the Catholic Church to betray people who have to pick up the tab for illegals. Maybe the Catholic Church should be required to pick up the tab.
In fact any organization promoting illegal immigration by word or deed should be required by hefty fine to pick up the tab.
Thanks for posting something I can agree with. Fiorenza here in Houston is a lover of illegals as well, and I think he is totally wrong. And I am studying for Catholic confirmation next Pentecost. I am not required to agree with the Archbishop on illegal immigration to be a member of the church. I do feel compassion for these people but I agree with the posters who suggest that stopping them before they try to cross the desert is the best way to save their life. If we are inclined to charity, there are plenty here already. As to the posters, there are many FRs with ugly attitudes... woman haters, euthanazia proponents, Catholic haters. Not too many pro-aborts or anti-semites. I just ignore them.
WOW! Has Bush converted yet?
I believe many of the facts about Catholicism's history in Western Civilization and I also know that all that is written is not factual. Man by his very nature is limited in his ability to know and reflect everything that happens/ed. However,that fact does not absolve us from seeking Truth at all times. I thought I could help you enlarge your world view by suggesting you consider other things.
Are you a recovering Catholic??
They probably want a new batch of Mexican boys to molest!
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