Posted on 11/06/2006 6:04:54 AM PST by Kimberly GG
Some parishioners of St. Patrick's Church were surprised by a letter they found on their windshields after attending a recent Saturday evening Mass. The missive, written by Grass Valley resident Ed Yarborough, accused the church's priest, the Rev. Tim Nondorf, of encouraging illegal immigrants by offering special services, including Mass in Spanish.
"Do you believe it's ethical for a clergyman to help criminals break the law?" Yarborough wrote in his public letter. "Aren't illegal aliens criminals? Their very presence in this country is a violation of federal law. Does that not concern you? Didn't Jesus say 'render unto Caesar'?"
In December 2005, Yarborough, 50, launched a one-man campaign against Nondorf, 36, alleging the priest is promoting illegal immigration by helping members of his growing Spanish-speaking congregation.
"They are evidently Spanish-speaking people, and that is a fairly good indication they are illegal," Yarborough said recently.
Nondorf explained the church's stance on immigration by quoting from a letter the Rev. Richard J. Garcia, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, wrote to Yarborough on Aug. 3, 2006.
"It is to serve the people of God that a priest is ordained, that is, to serve all people, regardless of a person's legal status in a particular country," Nondorf read. "As St. Paul reminds us, Jesus ministered to Jew and Gentile alike."
St. Patrick's Church hosts Spanish Masses on the last Sunday of every month. Bilingual Mass is offered on high holidays and sacraments in Spanish on special occasions. The church also hosts a social group for Hispanic youth and English classes.
The church has not taken any major legal action against Yarborough for posting letters on the parishioners' windshields. The action violates a city ordinance, Grass Valley Police Chief John Foster said.
"If people feel they are being harassed or threatened, I would encourage them to contact us," Foster said.
"But if you don't report the crime, we can't do anything about it."
Yarborough said he is not sure of his future line of action against Nondorf.
"I'm kind of disappointed with the wishy-washy position they (the Catholic Church) have taken on the immigration issue," Yarborough said. "But as long as they offer special Spanish-language services ... for illegal aliens, they are ... taking a political position (on immigration) whether they want to admit it or not."
Yarborough is a Nevada City native who graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz and works for a local insurance agent. He is a Catholic but said he is not a member of any Catholic church in town.
"I pray for Mr. Yarborough every day, asking that God touch his heart," Nondorf said. "On Sunday, July 30, when he stood outside our church picketing, the Spanish community said a decade of the rosary for him.
"That's all we can do - pray for him."
The church's position is not wishy washy at all. They want money and they see an untapped resource.
And I am a practicing Catholic, just in case I get accused of Catholic bashing.
"Another predicate act that would make an employer liable under RICO is encouraging or inducing "an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law."16 The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has specifically interpreted this provision to apply to actions that encourage illegal aliens already in the United States to remain or that induce further illegal immigration.17 The Fourth Circuit held that "encouraging is not limited to bringing in, transporting or concealing illegal aliens. Rather, encouraging relates to actions taken to convince the illegal alien to come to this country or to stay in this country."18 The Court held that a range of activities would meet this definition fertile ground for a good plaintiff attorney.'
RICO: A New Tool for
Immigration Law Enforcement
http://www.cis.org/articles/2003/back1103.html
Pardon my French, Kim (and all ladies reading this post)...but WTF?
I see the same thing in my own Catholic parish, but I try to leave both politics and business outside of attendance at Mass. I don't agree with the flawed thinking of some of our Catholic clergy on this issue, but I'm at Mass to join in worship and take the Eucharist - not to discuss or debate politics. I have at times left church to find that cars in the parking lot have been "papered" with political flyers. I note the candidate's name and make sure NOT to support them.
I can remember even as a kid different Parishes in Cali having a spanish Mass and at least once a month up here but at one Parish more often now.
Nothing new.
And you are absolutely right we are there to take part in the Holy Eucharist and go to Penance.
Some one posted on a thread the other day all veils should be banned meaning muslim my first thought was will that have to include Catholic head coverings as some of the women still wear and bridal viels....if one goes they all end up calling for zero tolerance...heck the summer bandana may even come under that rule.
Oh for heaven's sake, how stupid is this! Priests should deny the sacraments to illegal immigrants? That is ridiculous.
Guess we better encourage Priests to turn in those confessing sins that would also violate civil/federal laws.
There are several Churches in Chicago (and I'm sure in other cities) that have Polish Masses.
Sorry, I don't understand your point.
They want money?
Isn't it an obligation as a Catholic along with other obligations such as attending on Holy Days, fasting, going to Penance to give tithe.
Why? Are they recent immigrants?
Did you read somewhere in the article that Priests should deny the sacrement to illegal immigrants?
The complaint is about catering to and encouraging illegal immigrants/immigration by offering mass in Spanish. Under RICO statutes, it is criminal, not ridiculous.
If you makes you feel any better, Catholic Churces are not the only denominations doing so. There is a Baptist church in Columbus, just down the street from me, that does so as well.
Really bad headline - I thought it meant that tons of Spanish people were attempting to debate with this Priest.
True, but I wonder how many of their Polish attendees are here illegally.
Plus how is the Priest going to know will he require citizen papers "The body of Christ, green card please" LOL
My point is this: offering mass in languages other than English is not necessary. It is their responsibility to learn English if they come to the United States. There is a Spanish mass at my church, and I have never seen any hispanics at any of the English masses. It is my opinion that the Spanish mass discourages assimilation.
I can't speak for those outside of my immediate Central Virginia area, or outside of Northern Virginia, where I used to live, but I have observed the pandering to illegals that goes on among the priests in these area and it makes me question their motivation.
Clergymen should be charged with RICO for offering masses in Spanish? That is lunacy. Keep in mind the Democrats wanted to use the RICO statute to stifle pro-life protesters at abortion clinics. The clergy is not there to enforce the immigration laws, that is the government's job. Take up your beef with them.
First he will have to learn Spanish, because many of his parishioners have rejected English.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.