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
Another reason I don't feel bad about leaving the Catholic church.
susie
I'm sure it is just a coincidence that this policy is totally self-serving for the Catholic Church. People like you are leaving the church and Hispanic illegal migrants, most of whom conveniently happen to be Catholics, are filling it back up.
I don't think the Catholic Church is quite so enamored with immigration in Europe where the migrants mainly happen to be Muslim.
I was chastised earlier on FR for warning that the Catholic church was America's worst enemy. Catholics poo poohed it saying the Vatican was not involved in influencing American catholics.
The vatican is no different than Al Queda in it's desire to take over the world.
It must feel queasy about Europe and is doubling it's efforts to take over America.
The Vatican never agreed to Freedom of religion.
pure Barbra Streisand. If they are fleeing political oppression OK. If economic malnutrition...no way!
I guess filling the pews is the almighty most important issue.
In 12 years of Catholic schooling we were NEVER once told that it was a requirement of our faith to embrace social and communist principles. Rerum Novarum MAY have been twisted by socialistic Catholics but NO Pope has stated as an article of faith that there is no right to private property. This letter is pure BS by deluded, socialist, economically ignorant clergy.
In 12 years of Catholic schooling we were NEVER once told that it was a requirement of our faith to embrace social and communist principles. Rerum Novarum MAY have been twisted by socialistic Catholics but NO Pope has stated as an article of faith that there is no right to private property. This letter is pure BS by deluded, socialist, economically ignorant clergy.
It is absolutely apropriate for a church to welcome all human beings into a church.
It is a tragedy that migrants are dying attempting to cross the desert. One good way to stop these deaths, is with a long fence... How about that for immigration reform. Stop illegal immigration cold, then raise and lower legal immigration levels as the economy needs. Mexico should become less corrupt and more condusive for investment, but that is mostly their problem to resolve.
I fixed it for you.
I wonder if the RC is bothered a bit by the illegals depositing their illegally obtained work into the collection plate?
The Catholic church has been running an Underground Railroad for Illegals for decades.
I live in a a town of about 7000 people. The Hispanic population in the area about 3%. Our Catholic Church added a Spanish service, then for some reason ended it. But now all services are Spanish and English, roughly 50/50, complete with Mariachi style hymns. The change is far from popular. Attendance is down, many have complained, but the Church seems to not care at all.
Add this to the Kentucky bishops calling "adequate health care a basic human right"
Let's see if I understand the sense of all this proclamation:
As a Catholic Church leader, I am doing the following:
I am driving out the Americans who are citizens and belong here who have jobs legally and businesses and who for generations have contributed to the Catholic Church and it's charities.
Then I am going to embrace illegal intruders who are not allowed to work in the USA, who send 80% of their check back to Mexico and other S American countries, and who will NEVER make enough money to come close to filling the coffers that the American citizens who have been church members for years have shown able to do.
Now, as the Catholic Church, I will have much less money to run my church.
Therefore, I can only surmise that I have a whole bunch of new juvenile recruits for my pedophile priests, and less money for the lawyers to go after IF any of the illegal intruders have the audacity to sue me for the behavior of my pedophile priests.
Do I understand all of this theory?????
What a crock- one of the largest churches in the USA flaunting the law on illegal intruders. Good luck to them as more American citizens question whether this church is really speaking for them.
This is the strange part. They do not contribute much at all. But they do take complete advantage of any service the Church provides. They use the Sunday school and Bible study as their personal day care, routinely showing up hours late to pick up their kids.
If economic malnutrition...no way!""
Economic malnutrition driven by having too many children you cannot afford--and the Catholic Church encourages large families.
Sounds like an oxymoron to me.
The church will insist as the article said that you embrace the coming hoard.
Nah, just good citizens voicing their individual opinions all at once.
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