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

CNA ^ | 02.03.06

[Coleus]

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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?”

[Raycpa]

okay ...now you have my attention.... what does being an illegal alien have to do with abortion?

Abortion is legal. Using your argument I must support it because its legal.

[Raycpa]

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

[no-to-illegals]

maybe the Pope is like a lot of other people. He wants the US population to bow down and worship the criminal. No enforcement of the laws of the nation, no, that isn't politically correct. I think it is great everyone wants to be a US citizen but I have common sense and realize it simply is not possible. The US can't keep the world in food, clothing, or money, it is simply not possible but there are persons who want more and more and more from the people of the US and those people want the US to bend over and accept their criminal activity and be happy about it. Sorry, I wasn't brought up to respect criminals.

now watch someone try to tell me Jesus was a criminal.
Insane the world has become. Insane not wanting to hear the truth and heaven forbid someone print a cartoon in the newspaper, there will be someone running through the streets crying, 'off with the honest law abiding ones heads'

[VOYAGER]

The Tucson Diocese is bankrupt because of their child molesting priests. I do not follow child molesters and sodomizers.

The Phoenix Bishop was replaced after he ran over a pedestrian with a 1.8 blood alcohol.

Maybe this "Polly Anna" priest was in his cups again when he was contemplating his nit wit solution to this illegal invasion.

Par for the course for one who has grandiose delusions about his great amount of foresight or in his case the lack of it!

[no-to-illegals]

I don't like the abortion arguement either but a legal is a legal and an illegal is an illegal....

now think about that....it be the truth.

[theBuckwheat]

In Genesis 25, starting in verse 29, we read of the account where Esau sold his priceless birthright for a meal. The account ends in verse 34, "...So Esau despised his birthright."

The lesson of Esau is to not treat carelessly what God has given. Esau did not exercise *due care*. He was negligent. Once gone, because of his negligence, God allowed his example to stand as a warning for all humanity instead of restoring what he traded for so little.

When it came time for Issac to convey the blessing of the birthright to Jacob, Esau wept because of what he had done (Gen 27:38)

Many well-meaning people, like this cleric, are ignorant of the lesson of how Esau despised his blessing. They want the US gov't to allow anyone to come into our country. If we do so, we are not exercising *due care* about who is here and who is not. It is not that we don't want everyone to be as prosperous as we are. Indeed, if Mexico was prosperous, a lot of Mexicans who are in the US would want to go home.

Once people are here, it is easy for them to hide out and work for cash. It is just a lot better for everyone if we control our borders and carefully control how many we let in. That is prudent.

The countries of France and Denmark right now are alight because they allowed far more people in than could be assimilated. Let the clerics work to improve Mexico rather than to import Mexicans to the US. If we don't stop the flood, some day we may regret with tears that we sold our birthright for cheap day-laborers.

[itsahoot]

If the law is contrary to God's word, it is immoral and Christians must work toward changing it.

Feel free to go to Iran or some other friendly place, actually just try imigrating to Mexico, it ain't easy.

[primeval patriot]

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

I think I'm gonna hurl.

[axes_of_weezles]

Well, then I guess you wont mind if I drive down to Nogales with a few printed posters in spanish with directions to your house, your telephone number, your social security number, and of course everyone is welcome.

If you think that enforcing border laws are immoral, then you should have no troubles absorbing 35 million in your house.

King Herod is not after their babies. They do not fear for their lives. They are coming for the almighty dollar. They know coming here is illegal.

Of course the Catholic church has some obtuse doctrines, that happens when you cannot escape corruption.

So, what do these fine Bishops of the Catholic church have to say about sodomy? I trust they are 100% behind the current Pope.

Don't make me pay for your moral absolutism. God helps those that help themselves. Mexico is an oil and gas producing country. They have no reason for being in "El Norte". There is food clothing and shelter, and plenty of natural resources in Mexico to support and sustain the entire population. The reason they are coming here is the legacy of the Spanish and the Catholic church and the corruption both spawned and endures to this day in Mexico.

If the Catholics want to provide for indigent Mexicans they can empty the coffers of the Vatican. It's immoral/amoral for the Catholics to have someone else pay for the mistakes of the Catholic church.

God helps those that help themselves.

[itsahoot]

You indicate we cannot follow God because we cannot afford it.

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

[B Knotts]

What the Church actually teaches on this subject:

2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

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.

[DuncanWaring]

The Phoenix Bishop was replaced after he ran over a pedestrian with a 1.8 blood alcohol.

What's a "1.8 blood alcohol"?

[ladyjane]

What is it about obeying the law that some of these bishops and cardinals don't understand?

[no-to-illegals]

keywords:
obey its laws

that isn't possible for an illegal.

[axes_of_weezles]

BAC. He was drunk as a skunk.

[B Knotts]

I'd say so. My point in posting that part from the Catechism is that the Church teaching is not exactly what this Archbishop is relating.

[B Knotts]

Also, it states quite clearly that a nation has the right to make immigration subject to certain rules and regulations, which we have done, and which the 12-20 million illegal aliens have ignored.

I have nothing personal against the illegals, and many of them are fine people. But they need to go back to their home country and apply to reimmigrate through proper legal channels.

[no-to-illegals]

therefore in the eyes of the church and church doctrine this archbishop is corrupt...yes that is my point also... thank you for the informative post.

[B Knotts]

Well, I don't know if I'd go quite that far, but at minimum, he's not telling the whole story as it relates to Church teaching on immigration.

[dsc]

Malachias

3:4. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years.

3:5. And I will come to you in judgment, and will be a speedy witness against sorcerers, and adulterers, and false swearers, and them that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widows, and the fatherless: and oppress the stranger, and have not feared me, saith the Lord of hosts.

3:6. For I am the Lord, and I change not: and you the sons of Jacob are not consumed.