Posted on 04/14/2006 2:35:21 PM PDT by Racehorse
San Antonio Archbishop José Gomez says he'll adhere to his faith and break the law if a congressional proposal criminalizing humanitarian assistance to undocumented immigrants prevails, though he'd consult with fellow Texas bishops before asking subordinates to follow his lead.
[. . .]
The archbishop, himself an immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico, told the Express-News Tuesday that "if they push us to that point, we'll have to choose (between faith and the law). It's a non-negotiable principle of our faith that we must welcome the immigrant and practice charity."
Referring to a bill passed by the House in December, which includes a provision that would make felons of undocumented immigrants and criminals of people who assist them, Gomez said: "'Love thy neighbor' is the very essence of the Christian faith, and (the bill) asks us to violate it."
[. . .]
Gomez, the spiritual leader of nearly 1 million Catholics in San Antonio and South Texas, was emphatic about being forced into a corner.
"If they tell me I can't practice my religion, I'll break the law," he said.
[. . .]
Under current law, it is a felony for any person who "encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter or reside in the United States."
The key difference is the "assist" clause, which has caused an uproar among religious leaders because it suggests humanitarian efforts would be criminalized.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
Well, Gomez, the Christian thing to do would be to obey the laws of the land, and the humanitarian thing would be to assist them to get back home so they're no longer illegal.
"'Love thy neighbor... by staying out of thy neighbor's yard."
The man needs a lawyer. It already is an offense to harbor or conceal an illegal alien.
I am sure the good archbishop has been jailed for his adamant opposition to abortion too. < /sarcasm>
Just levy a large fine and be done with it. I wonder how defiant Bishop Gomez would be were the issue abortion or homosexuality...
His "faith" doesn't impress me. Father Gomez leaving the comfy good ole' US to go down THERE and practice "charity" would seem a little more genuine.
It's about damm time that organized religions either butt out of politics or start paying taxes like any other money making business.
Not surprising. Gomez was a big proponent of illegal aliens when has was the auxiliary bishop in Denver.
Jose needs to review the teaching of his Church as defined in the Catechism.
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.
Open season on Catholics time!
Catholics are sure convenient when it comes to abortion and other so-called conservative principles. When we Catholics don't agree with conservative principles we're villified.
Please don't ask Catholics to choose between politicized issues and The Church. True Catholics will always choose the Church, regardless of the law.
...don't get me started. I'm sick of the fair weather Catholics and Protestant "friends" of Catholics as long as the issue suits them.
The immigrants should "love thy neighbor" by filing for immigration the PROPER way if they want to move to the US from Mexico. You don't "love thy neighbor" by barging into the doorway without asking...
Nobody's picking on Catholics here. They're citing a renegade bishop who is supposed to be an American but he's using his citizenship of the Vatican as an excuse to break the law. If the Vatican wants my respect it will rebuke him.
"The Catholics" aren't even involved in this.
He's not a "renegade." Archbishop Gomez is only the latest in a line of bishops who have stated they will ignore any law that seeks to criminalize their ministry to anybody, legal or illegal.
One thing this has done has put Sensenbrenner, King, Hyde, etc. back on their heels, as they're all scrambling to reassure everybody that they will specifically remove the offensive language as well as the felony provision from HR 4437.
Thank you! I was just about to ping you to ask you to post that very same information.
Sounds to me, like the Archdiocese of San Antonio just gave the IRS cause to pull its' tax exemption. After all, it's leader just said he would not obey the law of the land. . .
Read my #8
Explain something to me. Wasn't it Jesus Christ himself who broke NO laws and still gave himself up to the cross in adherance to the officials? Explain that Gomez. And Gomez, Jesus did that for you too.
I only ask that they do not covet thy neighbor's country.
I say "NO, you can't!"..
sw
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