Posted on 04/01/2006 1:05:20 PM PST by petkus
LETTER To the Editor. A s a Catholic who struggles to reconcile the U.S./Mexican illegal immigration crisis with Christian principles, I was grateful to see and eager to read Bishops Gregory and Boland's pastoral letter on immigration reform. However, after studying the document I was disappointed and dismayed—not by what was said but by what was left unsaid.
Expecting a comprehensive exploration of the moral responsibilities of all parties involved, I found the overwhelming focus of the letter to be, in essence, the failure of U.S. taxpayers to be sufficiently generous to those who reside here illegally. While I appreciated our bishops' insistence on the protection of the human rights of all immigrants, legal status or no, it is only one part of the moral equation.
Entirely ignored was the question of the extent to which immigrants are morally obligated to observe a country's laws governing entrance and residence. And if one's moral obligation to abide by the law is mitigated by one's difficult financial circumstances, how are we to discern to which situations this moral leniency does and does not apply? If 1 am in dire financial straits through no fault of my own, may I, with moral impunity, choose to cheat on my taxes (say, by forging Social Security numbers to obtain tax credits for nonexistent offspring) rather than attempt the lengthy process of going through the proper IRS channels for possible relief? Consistent pastoral guidance for individuals in such situations is essential.
Moreover, unlawful activity begets more of the same. Because they have chosen to enter the U.S. by other than legitimate means, illegal immigrants must choose between having their illegal status discovered or the breaking of additional laws—e.g., driving without a license or driving with a forged license. Paradoxically, the thing that gives the U.S. its stability—its rule of law—is the very thing being undermined by those who seek the stability offered by this country. To what degree can the escalating unlawfulness be morally justified? At what point does Jesus' injunction to "render unto Caesar" become applicable?
Referenced only in passing within the pastoral letter is the moral obligation of Mexico (a developed country with natural resources) to rise to its potential and provide adequate opportunities for its own citizens. As jointly stated by U.S. and Mexican bishops, its failure to do so is the root problem of illegal immigration. What pressure are Mexican bishops exerting to make their government more accountable to its people? Do not measures (by both the U.S. and Mexico) that embolden and encourage illegal immigrants ultimately serve to enable Mexico to persist in its dysfunctional state? If so, are our good intentions perhaps misguided compassion? If a person is not seeking asylum due to starvation, persecution, etc., is he ever morally bound not to simply abandon his troubled country but to work toward, fight for its improvement?
The purpose of my letter is not to argue but to beseech our bishops to shepherd us to a comprehensive understanding of the morality involved in all the various components of this dilemma.
Lisa Olwine Lawrenceville
I know of nothing in the Gospels that authorizes being "charitable" with other people's money. If one wishes to exercise true Christian charity toward poor Latin Americans, one will donate one's own money to charitable organizations working in Latin America (or go down there to do good works oneself).
No he's not. The Church loses money ministering to illegals. Legal Hispanics don't donate to the Church much.
Right. So why should they give to a church in this country when they can send it to their families?
No, I think it is just that batch of liberal bishops, who allowed child molestation, trying to get some brownie points to atone for their sins.
Why don't the Mexican bishops tell the people to stay in Mexico and work for its improvement?
Wow. Great letter. Well-written.
The Bishops are following the policy set down by theor Vatican masters.
Immigration trumps American law.
Dear dalereed,
"You don't have to ask, I have nothing but contempt for the catholic [sic] church [sic]."
Then I have nothing but pity for you.
I'll pray for you.
sitetest
Kick out Harley Riders?
And the parade of baseless anti-Catholic slurs rolls on. At least this one hasn't yet called the Bishops pigs.
My sis in law works at a Catholic parish and that is exactly what she told me.....money. Last year they did over 1800 baptisms. I asked how many were to illegal alien parents, she said at least 50%.
And hate.
Dont't leave out isrul
Exactly - every study I've seen on the 11 million illegals in our nation always come at the lower end of the economic scale.
Even if they follow the rule of a 10% tithe and make minimum wage....
$5.15 x 2080 = $10,712 yr (minimum wage based on full-time 40hr work week) 10% 1,712 pr year into the church.
A middle Class income of $50,000 gives the Church $5,000 a year.
I'd venture a guess, the middle class income person wouldn't be coming to the Church for financial charitable assistance anywhere near the percentage of lower income would.
The "let em in for money" crowd do not have facts on their side.
Noone should be above the law, not even a Bishop.
BTW, this is the same organization that knowingly conspired to hide pedophiles for several decades thereby unleashing them on unsuspecting parishioners.
IMO they should have been prosecuted as a corrupt organization for that alone.
L
Hypothetically speaking, manifestly immoral laws should be disobeyed. I certainly hope you agree with that general principle.
"Kick out Harley Riders?"
Be serious ... these are border guards, not Marines :-)
However, there is nothing 'manifestly immoral' about enforcing our immigration laws and punishing those who break them with impunity.
As far as I'm concerned the American Catholic Church lost any claim to moral high ground when they engaged in a massive conspiracy to protect pedophiles in their employ.
They should have their tax exemption yanked and be prosecuted under the RICO statutes for that alone.
L
Really? So, not only is our governmental generosity being abused but so are the charities'. That's so much better.
Ah, let's see.
The Feds aren't deporting illegals. Local governments aren't deporting illegals. You can't get a local law enforcement officer anywhere to deport illegals.
Continuing on...
Our judges protect illegals. Public soup kitchens feed illegals. Employers are hiring illegals. Many an average citizen has their lawn cut by illegals.
The Hospitals treat them. The public schools educate them.
Non-religious charities of all stripes don't ask for papers when helping the needy.
But when the Catholic church does so all hell breaks loose.
Pathetic.
Dear Brytani,
The average NON-HISPANIC Catholic typically donates 2.2% of income to charity, with about half that going to the Church.
Apparently, Hispanic Catholics donate less.
sitetest
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