I went to mass on Sunday and became upset over the people that did not show up. Recently in our community a one of the politicians named Shirley Matson, made a mistake and offended the Latino Community by asking if some construction workers who were building our new jail were legal. She did it through emails to the county sherrif and they were leaked to the paper I work for. The comments were wron
So a local lady, a housewife who is married to a Mexican husband decided to recall this politician. This is her right and I respect that. Anyways she receieved a lot of press in the local papers, Univision and the LA Times. It was a big deal and she started the recall. Since she started a bunch of conservatives, got angry with her because she went across the street from the local Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Valley, and set up a booth on private property to get signatures for the recall, again on private property. She was perfectly in her right to do so. She even attends our our church.
Well things got ugly. Catholic conservatives, got angry with her for bringing the politics so close to the church. They were so angry that some even said the Church was harboring illegal aliens and they were leaving the Church. Others said they would not go to mass. (here is the last article my paper wrote on the topic, http://pvtimes.com/news/adios-matson-effort-to-recall-assessor-underway/)
First the Church does not harbor illegal aliens.
I hate to be long winded here but here is what the US. Council of Bishops said: The Catholic Catechism teaches that in the realm of immigration law all governments have two essential duties, both of which must be carried out and neither of which can be ignored.
The first duty is to welcome the foreigner out of charity and respect for the dignity and rights of the human person. Persons have the right to immigrate and thus government must accommodate this right to the greatest extent possible, consistent with its other obligations to the common good. The right to immigrate is a therefore a qualified, rather than an absolute right. Nevertheless, all nations and especially financially blessed nations are called to make every possible effort to assist persons who are compelled by their circumstances to migrate. As the Catechism states:
"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.” 1
The second duty of government is to secure its border and enforce immigration law for the sake of the common good, including the safety and well-being of the nation’s inhabitants and the rule of law. Sovereign nations thus have the right and the responsibility to enforce immigration laws and all persons must respect and obey the legitimate exercise of this authority. For their part, immigrants are called to
obey the law and carry out their civic duties in furtherance of the common good. 2 According to the Catechism:
“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." 3
As Catholics the bottom line is Jesus teaches us to love those who are less fortunate. Does this mean we open the borders and let them all in? No, it means if some one comes to you for help you try to help them the best you can. This means you can also have your opinion on legal immigration. It does not mean you have to help foreigners when they come knocking but it does mean that you should be aware that God watches all and that if you follow Jesus you need to love all. Treat people like you would want them to treat you if the tables were turned.
I believe that people who break the law should be sent back. I also believe we need to change our laws. I really do not think though that I could ever take my anger out at the people that cross the border. They are products of bad laws and bad economies. I am more angry with the government for not securing the border, and not passing laws to avoid all this in the first place. If anyone is angry, they should be angry at the politicians. The Republicans and the Democrats have both made promises that they never kept and they continue to do so.
The Church is not the institution responsible for the politics. The Church is just trying to help those that are disenfranchised, hungry and poor. This is what Jesus would want. Jesus knew no borders. He came to the aid of anyone regardless of politics, race or creed and that is what our Church does to the best of its ability.
Tags: Church And Immigration
