“What a load? So God will not take a stand is what he’s basically saying. “
Well, that’s an improvement from what some of the bishops were saying. This is a ‘walkback’. The bishops in 2006, in particular liberal bishops like in LA (Bishop Mahoney), made noises about the need for amnesty as an act of compassion to the illegal aliens.
It didnt work. It was wrong. It ignored the impact (negative) that illegal immigration has on low-wage workers, the impact on communities in social cost, etc. We cannot have out-of-control immigration, and amnesty would have made it worse. Lost in the argument was the case for an orderly immigration system that treats (legal) immigrants with respect. Lost in the argument was the fact that immigrants are hurt too by illegal immigration.
“Social conservatives and liberals alike would be wise to re-examine their approach to our present crisis of illegal immigration. God is on the side of human rights and also on the side of legality and security. It is our problem if we choose one over the other and pretend that we are righteous.”
This is a very helpful statement, in that in brings some Catholic church voices that want a balance in how they approach this. If the Church either steps out of the politics, or at least acknowledges the need for legality and security, then they will not and cannot be for unbalanced amnesty proposals.
Summary: This column is a liberal ‘white flag’ - “we give up on the amnesty, we need a balanced approach”
PS “And wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear from a Republican pundit that no love for law or security is ever a valid excuse for treating people like animals, or slaves?”
Let me be the first to say this - no love for law or security is a valid excuse for treating people like slaves.
Once we accept that premise the battle is lost.