Archbishop Naumann: Scripture exhorts faithful to welcome the migrant, alien

CNA ^ | 02.03.06

[Coleus]

RELATED NEWS:

Cardinal Rivera calls border wall an “error”

Mexican cardinal criticized xenophobic attitude of US against immigrants

Irish Church celebrates contribution of immigrants

Arizona bishops release dramatic letter on immigration

Archbishop Naumann: Scripture exhorts faithful to welcome the migrant, alien

Kansas City, Feb. 03, 2006 (CNA) - In his latest column, Kansas City, Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann weighed in on the volatile national immigration debate, saying that Scripture exhorts faithful to welcome the stranger and the alien, not as an option--but as a responsibility.

The Archbishop wrote in regard to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Justice for Immigrants Campaign which advocates comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S.  Citing a joint pastoral letter drafted by the Bishops of the U.S. and Mexico in 2000 called, “Strangers No Longer: Together On a Journey of Hope,” Archbishop Naumann said that the Biblical Abraham himself as well as his descendents “knew what it was like to be strangers in a strange land.”

The document points out that “The key events in the history of the Chosen People of enslavement by the Egyptians and of liberation by God led to the commandments regarding strangers (Ex 23: 9; Lv 19: 33).”

“Israel’s conduct with the stranger” it continues, “is both an imitation of God and the primary, specific Old Testament manifestation of the great commandment to love one’s neighbor… the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and widow, and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.”

“So you, too,” scripture exhorts, “must befriend the alien, for you once were aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt”(Dt 10: 17-19).

Archbishop Naumann added that “During the Christmas season, we were reminded how Jesus, Mary and Joseph were migrants and refugees, having to flee their homeland to avoid the maniacal efforts of King Herod to kill Jesus.” Likewise, “In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples when they welcome a stranger, they welcome him.”

In short, the Archbishop said that “For the American Catholic, being concerned about the plight of immigrants today is not just an option but a responsibility.”  Admitting his lack of “expertise or competence to design the precise solution for our current immigration challenges,” Archbishop Naumann said that he is “confident that if we — as Americans — set our minds and our hearts to the task, we will succeed in devising a solution that both protects our security and welcomes as many newcomers as possible who share our yearning for freedom and our desire to have the opportunity to work hard.”

Each immigrant and newcomer, he wrote, “possesses the image of God engraved on their heart. Each migrant is of such worth that Jesus Christ gave his life on Calvary for them.”  How then, the prelate closed his column, “can we ignore the plight of those who are so precious in the eyes of the Lord?”

[F16Fighter]

"...And find the appropriate reply."

No small feat -- well done.

[Nea Wood]

If you are serious about following God, you have to be accepting of all aliens.

Nonsense. Those Old Testament verses about being fair to aliens also affirmed that the interests of Israel were to come first. Foreigners were not allowed to rule over the Israelites. Aliens were required to obey the religious laws of the land, unlike today, where aliens brag about "enriching" the new country with their own language and culture.

Besides, back then aliens were "sojourners," people who came, stayed for a while, and left. There was no "illegal immigration" like today, where tens of millions of people flood across a country's borders, take jobs, lower wages, use fake documents, collect welfare, force taxpayers to pay for their hospitalization and their children's education, etc., etc.

Look at the "fruits" of illegal immigration. Drive through an illegal alien neighborhood sometime, a formerly nice area. (There are many.) Do it only if you dare, and if your car is not likely to break down. Notice the bars on the doors and windows. Notice the graffiti and the filth and the blight. Does this tell you anything? Would you want to live there? Would you allow your daughter to jog through an illegal alien neighborhood or rent an apartment there? Would you want your children to go to a school that was majority illegal aliens? How could God possibly approve of the crime, destruction and danger that illegal immigration brings in its wake? One look around any illegal alien neighborhood, and you know there is no way that God approves of illegal immigration, or expects Christians to embrace it.

The Bible says "Go and make disciples of all nations." Key word...GO. Not, "Let foreigners flood into your nation and take over, and then you can evangelize them." Christians are to GO where the foreigners are.

[arasina]

I do too have small feet. ;oP

[BnBlFlag]

Why don't you come down to Houston and see the effects of this Invasion. Vast sections of the City look like a third world Hellhole. The Crime rate is very high, aided and abetted by your other "beloved" refugees from NOLA.
When the "aliens" overun your own area, get back to me with your new opinion.

[F16Fighter]

"I do too have small feet. ;oP"

And soooo pretty :-P Lol, I was tempted to use that double entendre.

[television is just wrong]

I saw an article recently that the Catholic church wants nothing more than to destroy the United States.

The Catholic Church wants to dominate the world again...

[SC33]

Just to be clear, I was not referring to the catholic Church.

As to your question, take your pick in the Middle East.

[bboop]

"Support for illegal immigration" is not part of the Catechism. It is merely some people who are Catholics who believe it. Those things come and go.

[bboop]

Good point, Jack.

[Dante3]

It is nonsense that we have to accept everyone, which includes pedophiles, killers, and terrorists. It would not surprise me if this bishop comes out in favor of NAMBLA.

[Thumper1960]

Your charge is warrantless and useless. So-called "Catholic bashing" is a redherring thrown out by those who choose to deny substantive charges of wrongdoing and institutional corruption. My sources are as credible as yours. While those who charge so-called "Catholic bashing" do so while swallowing the party-line, hook, line and sinker, those who do challenge the party-line do so in the interest of truth and justice for the wronged and maligned.

Deny all you wish. Until there has been top to bottom cleansing of reprehensible, institutional corruption, the voices will not cease.

[WatchingInAmazement]

I've read your posts on this thread. What are you suggesting? That we become a theocracy based on YOUR interpretation of Christian scripture? You are what the founding fathers feared when they formed this nation. What next, maybe a Muslim Theocracy to rule the US?

You are welcome to aid and love the illegal alien lawbreaker all you want. Just don't insist I must. Even the Christian religion that we both love cannot rule this country or it ceases to be this country.

[monkeywrench]

Well said, Nea. Seems like someone is overlooking alot of Gods principles to get to an agenda.

[TheLion]

Why don't we just get all the billions of people in the world in here and then fight it out!

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[bboop]

well said.

[When_Penguins_Attack]

So... is your stance "once the illegals aliens start obeying God then we will start?"

[When_Penguins_Attack]

God helps those that help themselves.

Actually, this is not a biblical phrase, nor is it correct. It is, in fact, contrary to the whole of biblical teaching.

[When_Penguins_Attack]

Give all you have to the poor and follow me.....Have you done that one yet?

"Judas went out and hanged himself"
"Go therefore and do likewise"
"What you do, do quickly"

You first..... since we are arbitrarily pulling verses out of context and making them apply beyond their intended audience.

[When_Penguins_Attack]

The church - any church - cannot tell the state how to run the country.

Of course it can. The state does not have to listen, and the church can, and does, err. But the church should instruct the state on how to do its duty before God......, and by the way, there is no "separation of church and state" in the Constitution or bill of rights. That phrase came from a letter to the Danbury Baptists by Ben Franklin in about 1800. Never has been constitutional.