Free Republic

The Justice for Immigrants campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging priests across the nation to “incorporate petitions, prayers and homilies” into Sunday Masses on September 25 in support of passage of the DREAM Act. The bill, first introduced in 2001, would provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. The Justice for Immigrants campaign has also issued an invitation to “plan a vigil or public event between Sept. 18 - Oct. 9 in support of our DREAM students and youth” and offers a “sample agenda and elements of a powerful event” to assist in...

Concurring with recent comments made by a state supreme court justice and a former director of state prisons, the bishops of Ohio are calling for the abolition of the death penalty in their state. “Murder rightly evokes moral outrage and a call for justice,” the bishops said in a February 4 statement. “It also calls for spiritual healing and caring support for all those impacted by such a tragedy. Just punishment-- punishment that reflects the seriousness of the offense, seeks restoration for the offense, and protects society-- is a foundational moral principle within our justice system.” “Just punishment can occur...

In a lengthy address delivered in Washington on June 2, Archbishop Antonio Maria Vegliò, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, discussed various facets of migration to the United States, including immigration, human trafficking, and displacement induced by climate change. Speaking to the Regional Consultation of the American Bishops' Conferences on Migration, Archbishop Vegliò said that “I follow with more than usual interest and admiration the courageous advocacy efforts of the USA Church for the regularization of the approximately 12 million undocumented migrants. Their existence will thus be recognized. However, should this also...

Cardinal Roger Mahony was smiling widely Saturday as he navigated the crush of immigrant rights supporters rallying in downtown Los Angeles, enlivened by the throngs of adoring supporters who kissed his hand and asked to be blessed. "Thank you, Arizona," he said, to no one in particular. "Thank you, Arizona." For the cardinal, the thank-you was two-pronged. Mahony compared Arizona to Nazi Germany after the state passed a strict new law that allows police to check the legal status of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. But Mahony said the Arizona legislation might turn out to be a net...

USCCB Migration Chairman Joins Arizona Bishops in Decrying Anti-Immigrant Measure, Calls for Comprehensive Reform WASHINGTON— In solidarity with the Catholic bishops of Arizona, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, issued a statement April 27, opposing the enactment and implementation of Arizona SB 1070, which criminalizes undocumented immigrants. “This new law, although limited to the State of Arizona, could have impact throughout the nation, in terms of how members of our immigrant communities are both perceived and treated,” Bishop Wester said in the statement. “SB 1070 gives law...

Renewing its attack on the death penalty, the Holy See says that it is difficult to justify its use today and warns that the practice is an affront to human dignity and "the evangelical teaching of forgiveness."   The Vatican Information Service yesterday made public a Holy See declaration issued during the course of a world congress on the death penalty, held in Paris from 1-3 February.    The "World Congress against the Death Penalty" brought together over 600 abolitionists and decision-makers from all over the world and included a presentation from Mario Marazziti of the respected lay Catholic peace group,...