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
Wow. She investigated 1800 couples to determine their immigration status? Or... wait a minute ... they all just came up and told her?
Sis in law must be smarter than you since she can figure out what's going on. It's amusing to see a freeper play stupid.
My contempt is for their aiding and abetting illegal immigration. This affects all Americans. I never posted here on the priest molestation threads. That's an internal Church matter. Their illegal immigration policies are not
You know this is a red herring. The house bill isn't about nuns, its about coyotes. Good thing we have the internet to get better information.
In a statement Monday, Sensenbrenner called it "fear-mongering that clergy and good Samaritans will be thrown in jail." He said the aim of the House was to make it easier it to prosecute those who smuggle immigrants across the border. Nevertheless, the Senate committee Monday adopted different language from the House to specifically exempt aid workers and charitable groups from criminal penalties.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=411237
Providing for the needy is important, but do we not have an obligation to our own citizens who are being harmed by this?
You know this is a red herring. The house bill isn't about nuns, its about coyotes. Good thing we have the internet to get better information.
In a statement Monday, Sensenbrenner called it "fear-mongering that clergy and good Samaritans will be thrown in jail." He said the aim of the House was to make it easier it to prosecute those who smuggle immigrants across the border. Nevertheless, the Senate committee Monday adopted different language from the House to specifically exempt aid workers and charitable groups from criminal penalties.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=411237
Providing for the needy is important, but do we not have an obligation to our own citizens who are being harmed by this?
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."
Doesn't this explictily refer to legal immigration?
Shouldn't have to say it, but the left will distort this.... This is about illegal immigration!!!!
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." Mat 7:13 RSV
Or what? They'll give them more aid?
ILLEGAL ALIENS come here for a better life, YOURS, are you willing to lie down your life and give it to them???
All the catholic church is looking for is more members. They don't care otherwise...
for later reading
Furthermore,many of the wealthier parishes have kind of adopted Hispanic parishes and give money and assistance to them on a regular basis. We also have the Saint Vincent DePaul Societies in every city which help to feed,clothe,shelter and provide medical assistance to the poor,that includes many Hispanics as well as those of other ethnicities and races. There are other Catholic organizations that help all of the poor. The Knights of Columbus give financial aid,scholarships and a lot of gifts at Christmas.
Statements made about wanting them up here to enrich collections are so absurd it is almost embarrassing to read the totally uninformed,silly opinions of Freepers,who to this point I had thought were generally fairly bright.
I was using the 10% as the tithe I was always told to be appropriate and what I try to always give.
Only 2.2% for such a rich Church - and these illegals will make a financial dent, how? Hillarious.
Silly you! When it is done by a "compassionate liberal or a democrat politician trying to stick it to President Bush, of course!
It is the illegals who send the money back to their home villages in Mexico
Illiegals
Kind of hard to support the church or bother to pay taxes when you're sending half of your income back to Mexico.
First time I've ever heard of Emperor Maximilian seizing the property of the Catholic Church during his brief reign. He was a Habsburg and they were generally pretty devout Catholics (his great-nephew Karl was declared a "blessed" by Pope John Paul II). I was under the impression that the periods when the Mexican government was particularly hostile to the church was under Benito Juarez and following the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century.
"All the catholic church is looking for is more members. They don't care otherwise..."
Are you listening to what you're actually saying? And do you really believe that?
Your right...I was mistaken. Maximillian did give some property and some Bishops back...was I thinking Napoleon?
Benito Juarez died in the early 1870's, but he did persecute the Catholic Church.
Oh, please. These folks don't have two coins to rub together. They won't be putting big bucks in the collection basket. I believe the Bishops are operating under a misguided notion of Christian charity when it comes to illegals, but it's NOT all about the money.
Do you feel the same way about the educational establishment in this country, which has basically done the same thing?
They should have their tax exemption yanked and be prosecuted under the RICO statutes for that alone.
Ain't gonna happen.
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