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Be Ever Vigilant!
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
ping~
My, my how the truth refreshes!
They should have their . . .
Why not repeat it again? I know your hate makes it important to vilify them as much as possible. Maybe it could be your tagline.
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant!
What do you think would be an appropriate response to an organization that knowingly shielded dozens of pedophiles from prosecution for decades?
I'd love to hear your views on that little matter.
Who was it that said "Put not your faith in the princes of men."? L
"Providing for the needy is a Catholic requirement"
Let them go to Mexico and do it.
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Good advice and hoping the Roman Catholics will support more missions down there. Somehow I think that lots of fat and contented priests in the US colleges and seminaries won't go. They're (not all) too busy accommodating the secularists.
Maybe where you are. They are not in many places. Attendance is down. Revenues are down. Legal bills are way up.
What I really resent is belief that America's borders are not acknowledged by the Catholic church or at least by much of the Catholic church in America. How about the rest of Americans who are not Catholic? Our opinions on illegal immigration don't matter one darn bit to the Church!!
I have never heard of people starving in Mexico or Central America. They may be poor and diet may be limited but they are not starving down there.
What pressure are Mexican bishops exerting to make their government more accountable to its people?
Mexican Bishops have not be able to speak out against the government since Emperor Maximillian seized all church property and split the Catholic Church of Mexico away from Rome. Since the Cristero Wars it has been illegal for any Church to speak out against the Mexican government or it's policies. It's in their Constitution.
After letting gays into Seminary, covering up pedophile priests, tolerating abortion supporting politicians and now supporting santuary for illegal immigrants, I think American Catholics should send a message to the Catholic bishops by leaving the church and attending conservative Protestant churches.
Source?
Wow. She investigated 1800 couples to determine their immigration status? Or... wait a minute ... they all just came up and told her?
I can't leave the One True Church for a false church, no matter how badly the former has been served by many of its clergy.
Whatever one thinks of the USCCB on immigration legislation, it is ---how shall I say? --- at least counterintuitive to argue that the Bishops are trying to increase their collections by siding with the lowest-income day-laborers, dishwashers and motel-bathroom-cleaners. Income-maximizing clergy are usually excoriated for siding with the rich, not with the poor.
Search Result
Catechism of the Catholic Church
"2241 ...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."
That's what my .. um... "Vatican masters" are teaching.
If you want to know what the Catholic Church teaches, your best bet is to go to the Catechism, which happens to be searchable online:
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
On immigration:
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2241.htm
And, Catholics: If you're going to write to your Bishop, maybe this is the part you should emphasize. (Go ahead, introduce your Bishop to Catholic doctrine...it'll do him good...)
Good point there, FreeReign. But for some people, any stick is good enough to hit the Catholic Church with.
True. Another thing most Americans don't realize about Mexico. I'd guess maybe 1 person in 100 knows about the Cristero war.
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