The enlightened Catholic stance on immigration

One of the most depressing trends in British and American politics is that opponents of immigration are currently winning the debate. In Britain the government is in the process of instituting, over the objections on Vincent Cable, a draconian cap on non-EU immigration. Similarly, all the major candidates for the Labour leadership have hardened their stances on immigration, although David Miliband has had the courage to criticise the cap.

The situation is even worse in American since Jan Brewer's crackdown on suspected illegal immigrants turned her into an icon of the right, and resurrected her re-election campaign. President Obama has stated that, "being an American is not a matter of blood or birth", an indication that an end to birthright citizenship may be part of any future immigration reform.

However, the Catholic church is prepared to stand up for some of the most vulnerable in society. In Britain, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has courageously led the fight for an amnesty for illegal immigrants. In both America and Canada the church is constantly on the immigration frontline, providing, legal advice, charitable assistance and even sanctuary, for those who have crossed the border to seek a better life.

The Catholic church has also taken a principled stance against Sarkozy's attempts to boost his flagging popularity by expelling Roma immigrants. Indeed, in a speech to last month, Pope Benedict implicitly rebuked the French president's efforts, reminding his audience that "Jesus came to pull together men from every nation and speaking every language".

This is not a new stance. Indeed, successive popes have emphasised the importance of welcoming immigrants. As far back 1891 the church clearly stated that people had a right to move freely, and that any government attempts to restrict immigration had to be done humanely. Similarly, Pope John Paul II, Benedict's predecessor, emphasised that "the migrant is not merely an individual to be respected in accordance with the norms established by law, but a person whose presence challenges them and whose needs become an obligation for their responsibility".

Cynics have argued that the relatively greater religiosity of immigrants means that the church's progressive stance is partly self-interested. Indeed, eastern Europeans and Latinos are an increasingly large part of parishes in Europe and America respectively. However, the church has consistently stood up for the rights of all immigrants, not just co-religionists. Indeed the pope has explicitly talked about "building relations of mutual knowledge and respect" with immigrants from different faiths, while he has intervened in the debate in Italy to support the rights of Muslim immigrants from North Africa. Indeed, the Los Angeles Times recently pointed out that Catholic charities in France even run halal soup kitchens.

Of course the church cannot shift attitudes on its own. However, its principled stance on this issue on provides a call to action. Those on the centre, left-of-centre and left should stand up for a more dignified treatment of asylum seekers and immigration policies that give those currently living in poorer countries the opportunity to improve their standard of living by moving to the United Kingdom. It is also ironic that while many of the church's critics attack it for being out of touch with modern values, its decision to choose principles over popularity has put it at the forefront of the immigration debate.

President Obama has stated that, "being an American is not a matter of blood or birth", an indication that an end to birthright citizenship may be part of any future immigration reform.
However, the Catholic church is prepared to stand up for some of the most vulnerable in society. In Britain, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has courageously led the fight for an amnesty for illegal immigrants. In both America and Canada the church is constantly on the immigration frontline, providing, legal advice, charitable assistance and even sanctuary, for those who have crossed the border to seek a better life.

One of the most depressing trends in British and American politics is that opponents of immigration are currently winning the debate.

What an idiot. Allow me to refine:

Americans are opposed to foreigners entering illegally.
Americans are opposed to foreigners entering legally with intent to harm us.
Otherwise, most Americans appreciate and welcome foreigners entering either for a visit or to become loyal American citizens.

How hard is that? /s

Let the Catholic church buy a large island & they can take as many ‘poor immigrants’ there as they wish.
The church can house them.
The church can feed them.
Clothes them.
Medicate them. ETC.

The church can quit holding the position that it has the moral ground in contaminating my community with illegals that us taxpayers are expected to pay for.

I am tired of paying for things that I don’t support.
Let the church support them- lock, stock & barrel.

This is the Guardian, with their typical tilt. Notice three things:

"Pope Benedict implicitly rebuked the French president's efforts, reminding his audience that 'Jesus came to pull together men from every nation and speaking every language'".

"Implicitly reubuked"? For quoting what every Christian knows from the New Testment, that Jesus calls people to be disciples from all nations? It has nothing to do with justifying illegal immigration.

"Similarly, Pope John Paul II, Benedict's predecessor, emphasised that "the migrant is not merely an individual to be respected in accordance with the norms established by law,..."

Indicating that he is this, and more: a (legal) migrant respected "with norms established by law," and also as a person. Again, nothing to do with illegal immigration.

Third, no mention of the Catechism, of course:

Para 2241 Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.

This is what is called "advocacy journalism": implying here, molding there, and omitting anything to the contrary, so the story says what The Guardian wants it to say.

Is the Catholic Church looking for open borders world wide?

No.

Doesn't have that much to do with borders.

In general, the idea is that once an immigrant is somewhere, legal or not, you need to treat them well.

If we actually enforced the border it wouldn't be such a big problem.

Personally I think a zero tolerance policy is the most humane -- when you think of all the immigrants who die in attempted border crossings and so forth, or are victimized by other illegal immigrants, compassion demands that put an end to the whole destructive cycle.

All you have to do is look at what has happened to Minneapolis to see their “enlightened stance” on immigration. Thanks to both the Catholic and Lutheran “charities” they have turned what was one of the nicest and most livable cities in the country into Mogadishu on the Mississippi. They were the ones who imported the Somali hordes that have done a very good job of turning Minneapolis into a third world hell hole.

As a fourth generation Minnesotan I will never, ever forgive them for what they have done to my former hometown and state.

“One of the most depressing trends in British and American politics is that opponents of immigration are currently winning the debate.”

No nation on earth has any OBLIGATION to accept anyone not a citizen of that nation.

I don’t find this de[ressing at all.

Its encouraging.

One reason that I don’t give to the Bishop’s annual appeal.

Let the Church in its influence work to make countries like Mexico better places to live. If it was effective I would happily give to that cause! The Church has no right to lobby to make people be charitable at gunpoint (taxation) and then tell them they’re not following Christ if they don’t like it.

If it is wrong to undermine nations and cultures, then it is wrong to undermine the West.

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