Posted on 03/15/2006 10:02:53 AM PST by NormsRevenge
ONTARIO - Amid a growing cacophony of voices debating immigration issues, Catholic Church leaders say they're trying to add a more humane view to the heated discussion.
Officials with the Diocese of San Bernardino have initiated a campaign to educate members, and the community, about their belief that immigrants should be treated with decency and respect, regardless of their legal status.
They held several meetings this month, including one Tuesday night, and are beginning to form teams at parishes that will implement the campaign.
The meetings come at a pivotal time in California and the nation as legislators attempt to craft reform bills, anti-immigrant sentiments swell and concerns over U.S. border security dominate public discussion.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, who leads the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the nation's largest, added fuel to the fire when he exhorted Catholics to ignore if passed what he called an unjust and inhumane law proposed in Congress.
The bill, proposed in the House of Representatives by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., could make helping illegal immigrants a crime.
The debate over immigration is far from new.
In 2004, Californians watched as about 450 suspected illegal immigrants were rounded up in U.S. Border Patrol raids in the Inland Empire. Some were questioned and released and some were deported, leaving family behind.
A widespread backlash over the operation resulted in agents being restricted from conducting such raids so far from the border.
Fresh concerns were expressed when the Daily Bulletin revealed in January that Mexican soldiers have crossed the U.S. border hundreds of times.
As federal legislators mull proposed reforms and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security evaluates its strategies regarding border regulation, the Catholic Church has stepped up, voicing clear opposition to some immigration policies.
It's time, they say, to start caring for immigrants as humans instead of treating them as intruders.
At the meeting sponsored by the San Bernardino Diocese on Tuesday, held at St. George's in Ontario, about a dozen people came to learn more about the church's position on immigrants.
Two officials with the diocese's Office of Social Concerns talked about how society should be challenged to look at the issue through the lens of gospel values.
The campaign is not about advocating for illegal immigration, open borders or amnesty for those here illegally, said Marco Raposo. It's about advocating for reforms, including earned legalization.
The church's positions are based on the Biblical teachings of respect, care for the poor and migrants and the dignity of all people, he said.
"Enforcement in the United States is not targeted, it's not proportional and it's not humane," he said.
Those attending the meeting had mixed reactions to the message. Some said Catholics should view immigrants with love, not judgment, because of the teachings of their Christian faith.
Cynthia Cota, of Ontario, said she feels conflicted. As a fourth-generation American of Latin descent, she can empathize with the plight of immigrants. But she's still researching the effects of illegal immigration on Americans' way of life, including the nation's education system and health care.
"I feel as though the emphasis is on us, we have to take care of the world's problems," she said. "Do the leaders of other countries (from which people are leaving) have no responsibilities?"
I certainly support treating immigrants with decency and respect, including the illegals who are being deported.
Okay.
It's about advocating for reforms, including earned legalization.
I think Marco Raposo just contradicted himself.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement like this, urging anyone at my parish to sign a letter directed at our senators. This leftist group may say they're against illegal immigration and open borders, but they oppose any enforcement action to stop such problems.
Frustrating times to be a Catholic.
Do these officials have the interests of the United States at heart, or of some other principality?
Is the Catholic church in Mexico starting a campaign to inspire Mexican authorities to stop robbing, raping & murdering Central American immigrants in southern Mexico?
If it's any consolation this is happening in other denominations as well. It's frustrating for a lot of us.
In fact, if this keeps up I am thinking about lobbying for government provided Valium. ;^)
"Frustrating times to be a Catholic."
Tell me about it!
Excellent point, I never thought of that.
Our parish council on "Social Justice" is populated with well-intentioned lefties who feel that most any governmental action is subject to religion-based "politically neutral" criticism or advocacy. Funny how it always works out that their proclamations seem like they're coming from the Kerry campaign.
The only way to get the message to your Bishop regarding immigration is to reduce your weekly donations by 50%.
All churches are businesses and there actions are guided by money!
Look how the financial settlements for pedofile priest have finally got the church to focus on these issues!
I think the RCC has the interests of the RCC at heart. Many illegal immigrants from Central and South America are Catholic, even if only nominally. The RCC has viewed legal and illegal immigration from south of the border as a way to increase the numbers of Catholics in the USA for some time.
I support treating illegals with decency and respect as they are being deported.
Fine, all the illegals can go back home and get on their knees there.
They don't need to be here to do it.
Are you expecting me to disagree with that?
"Cardinal Roger Mahony, who leads the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the nation's largest, added fuel to the fire when he exhorted Catholics to ignore if passed what he called an unjust and inhumane law proposed in Congress."
I hope they throw his butt in jail, too.
The Vatican is the Catholics' first loyalty but many of them don't seem to know that.
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