Posted on 12/12/2011 12:20:23 PM PST by moonshinner_09
(Reuters) - The nation's 33 Hispanic Roman Catholic Bishops released on Monday a strongly worded "letter to immigrants" suggesting illegal immigrants deserve thanks from Americans, and calling for "denunciation of the forces which oppress them."
The bishops have come out in support of comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants before, as they do again in the letter, but it uses stronger language and goes further in offering support to undocumented immigrants.
The letter was released by San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller and Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, the highest ranking Mexican-Americans in the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.
"We are well aware of the great sacrifice you make for your families' well being," portions of the letter say.
"Despite your contributions to the well-being of our country, instead of receiving our thanks, you are often treated as criminals because you have violated current immigration laws."
The letter is being released on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and the Continental Americas. On December 12 many immigrants to the United States from Latin America, who are overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, return to churches to reconnect with their heritage.
Garcia-Siller and Gomez, the only Latino Archbishops in the U.S. church, are natives of Mexico and U.S. citizens.
"This letter is pastoral in nature and is not about politics or programs," Garcia-Siller said. "It is my desire to offer comfort, kindness, and compassion to all immigrants who are suffering, especially at this time of year."
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
They need to make on change to this ....”Despite your contributions to the well-being of our country”....it should read “Despite your contributions of money to the church”.
I have nothing civil to say.
Garcia-Siller said. “It is my desire to offer comfort, kindness, and compassion to all immigrants who are suffering, especially at this time of year.”
I agree, illegal immigrants entering mexico do have a very difficult time if, they survive contact with the federalies at all.
Garcia should continue to call upon and demand the mexican government be more compassionate to its guest.
Talk about bass ackwards. Immigrants to the U.S.—legal and illegal—should be grateful to this great nation for the opportunity it provides them to support their families. This nation is great because of the efforts of its citizens over more than 200 years to build a great nation, and immigrants should be grateful to us for building it.
This letter demonstrates an unbelievable degree of moral confusion.
Gustavo Garcia-Siller and Jose Gomez support illegal immigration - who could’a guessed that one?
Caesar=Caesar...God=God!!!
We have lost all sense of playing by the rules in this country. If a person is built up to be sympathetic enough, they get a free pass so they don't have to follow the rules. Thus, the poor illegal immigrants who just want a better life. That's great but it doesn't mean they should be allowed in the US.
"... you are often treated as criminals because you have violated laws."
Yup. Makes sense to me...
Now I find that my Church has a Hispanic Caucus.
Is there nothing sacred? Now I have to go to Church pissed off at Hispanic Bishops.
No wonder we are losing parisioners hand over fist.
He calls this letter Pastoral. I call BS.
“It pains and saddens me that many of our Catholic brothers and sisters have not supported our petitions for changes in the immigration law that will protect the basic rights of immigrants,” he said.
Legal immigrants have rights, Illegal immigrants are in violation of the law.It p[ains and saddens me to see the Hispanic Caucus of the Catholic Church stand behind people who are in violation of the law.
Forcing illegals down our throats is not a function of the Catholic Church, no matter that they are Catholic illegals.
I know there are probably a hundred bible quotes they can spit at me to tell me it is, That’s fine if you keep using them you will be speaking them at empty Church’s.We arent having enough trouble in the Church without catering to illegals?
OK let the flaming begin.
Perhaps the Bishops forgot to refer to this passage: render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s; render unto God what is God’s.
Why not encourage the flock to obey the law and go home? They are not held captive here, like Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
Obviously these bishops are misusing money donated to the Catholic Church for illegal purposes. Perhaps funds to the Church from the church members should be held in abeyance until the Church can once more distinguish between helping those here illegally and helping those already here.
Hispanic Bishops: ``Illegal immigrants walked on water to get to the USA.``
Uh, I'll take Who is the Mexican Government for 200 Alex.
So now the bishops are dividing themselves up along ethnic lines? As if the Catholic Church did not have enough trouble.
The letter pledges to "continue to advocate on behalf of global economic justice, so our brothers and sisters can find employment opportunities in their countries of origin that offer a living wage, and allow them to live with dignity."
In their countries if origin you're doing what? Tell us about it, bishops.
He said the Bishops' demand is not for 'open borders' and he supports border security.
Well, if you're not for 'open borders' and you ARE for 'border security', wouldn't you reasonably infer that you should show a little compassionate solidarity and support for simple law enforcement?
"Any new immigration law should include a program for worker visas that respects the immigrants' human rights, provides for their basic needs and ensures that they enter our country and work in a safe and orderly manner," he said, quoting from the letter.
OK, just like the 'OLD' (that is to say, the PRESENT) immigration law. But if you're against enforcing the previous laws, and you're against enforcing the present laws, why should anyone believe you'd be in favor enforcing future laws?
It doesn't add up.
One of the main reasons I don’t give is the church’s advocacy in favor of illegal immigrants. I refuse to donate to an organization that lobbies for these lawbreakers.
No flaming from me. I am disgusted by this.
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