Church and immigration: 'Our role is spiritual and pastoral'

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles on comprehensive immigration reform.

A Time magazine poll done last month found that 63 percent of adult Americans believe illegal immigration into the U.S. is either an "extremely" or "very" serious problem.

Eighty-three percent think that providing social services such as food stamps for illegal immigrants costs taxpayers too much.

In the first half of 2005 alone, state legislatures took up almost 300 bills on immigration policy, but only 47 passed. One of the tougher measures was in Arizona, which now prohibits cities from having day-laborer centers for migrants looking for work.

But that law pales in comparison with the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act that was passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 16 by a vote of 239 to 182.

The bill (H.R. 4437) would make "unlawful presence" in the United States an aggravated felony, instead of a civil violation, punishable by up to a year in prison, deportation and disqualification from being able to return legally. In addition, it would require humanitarian groups --- including religious organizations --- to find out a person's legal status before offering any assistance. It would also place stiff penalties (up to five years for each offense) on any Good Samaritan who dared to help illegal immigrants.

During a recent wide-ranging interview on immigration with The Tidings, Cardinal Roger Mahony discussed H.R. 4437, which he has publicly called a "blameful, vicious" bill, as well as other aspects of the growing divisive issue, along with its social, political and moral ramifications.

"Anyone who does anything for someone here who doesn't have documents would be a felon under this bill," the cardinal pointed out. "And it targets everybody, churches included. So on its face value, it means that anyone coming for Communion or baptism or to be married, I should stop and ask to see their legal papers.

"That's absurd, and we're not going to do it --- even if Congress says we have to. We're not going to be immigration officers. Our role is spiritual and pastoral, and that's going to prevail. But the foolishness of this whole out-of-control thought process is just astounding."

The 9/11 terrorist attacks, and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, have threatened U.S. society to the core, leading Americans to look for a scapegoat, according to Cardinal Mahony. And, not surprisingly, American society found one who cannot fight back --- the undocumented immigrant.

Another factor is California's not-so-robust economy. The archbishop of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, who is a third-generation Californian, does not believe anti-immigrant feelings would have risen to such a fever pitch on radio talk shows and even in the halls of Congress if families weren't struggling so hard to make ends meet.

But the cardinal also notes that the United States is no stranger to fearing and loathing foreigners.

"Sometimes we romanticize early immigration in this country as if it were all very peaceful, and everybody was very happy to see the Italians and Irish come," he said. "But it was the same reaction as now. In fact, that's where these nicknames for ethnic groups came from, during those early waves of immigrants.

"Strangely, there's a phenomenon that for some reason many immigrants, when they come here and get settled, slam the door behind them," he noted. "And everybody else who wants to come after them now is an outsider."

The Catholic Church's position on immigrants has been consistent all the way back to biblical times on welcoming people "into our midst," the cardinal stressed.

God, in fact, gave Moses explicit laws for his people about how to treat aliens. The Old Testament was ripe with specific instructions about taking this to heart at harvest time. The Jews were, in fact, commanded by God to leave some wheat and fruit for widows, orphans, the poor and aliens.

So there was never any question about how sojourners got to a place or why they came. The fact that these early migrants were there and needed help was good enough.

"The basis for all this is very simple --- that God created each of us individually and specially," Cardinal Mahony explained. "God loves each of us and wishes us to see in others the face of Christ --- not to see a threat or an alien.

"And that's truly being countercultural and Christian. That's why it's a hard pill to swallow for some people, including Catholics. It's because we're focused on what we perceive to be a threat. And there's also something in human nature: 'I don't want someone to get something that they didn't have to work for.'

"But there are a lot of things in the Gospels and Jesus' teaching that people don't agree with," he observed. "And so, we have to just constantly bring it up."

The cardinal says that is why he and his fellow U.S. bishops recently launched a national campaign called "Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope" to increase awareness about immigration issues. Moreover, the campaign will challenge President Bush and Congress to adopt not only comprehensive but compassionate immigration reform.

Locally, Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis will lead the three-year effort of a steering committee of local clergy and lay leaders involved in working with immigrants. In upcoming months, members will be helping parishes become educated about the benefits of immigration and the negative effects of unjust efforts against immigrants.

"I'm hopeful that the campaign here will help people look at this issue and immigrants through the lenses of Jesus, not through the lenses of talk radio show programs or the folks blaming immigrants for all the woes in our society and our state," Cardinal Mahony said.

"That's what I'm hoping for, which is going to be a long-term process. Some are going to say, 'Yeah, I get it.' And others are not."

The cardinal recalled how he saw firsthand --- as a young priest directing Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Fresno in the late 1960s --- how difficult the whole issue of illegal immigration is for the church.

In Central Valley farming towns, many of the growers as well as the farmworkers shared the same pews at Sunday Mass, while the conflict all around them in the fields and packing houses played out.

"That's when I learned early on this isn't going to be easy," Cardinal Mahony acknowledged. "This kind of debate has been going on since Old Testament times, and it's going to continue to go on. So we're not going to solve it in three years or in our lifetime.

"People really do have short memories. They don't remember their own background and what their own people had to go through.

"But it all goes back to our discipleship with Jesus Christ, and what does that mean and what does that cost," he said. "And it means a lot more and costs a lot more than what we're willing to admit."

The Catholic church is a major enabler and facilitator of illegal immigration. If it was up to them no illegal alien would ever be deported. Even the criminal ones will be said to be deserving of second, third, fourth, fifth chances. Other faiths don't do so well either when it comes to massive illegal immigration. This may seem like Church bashing but I only mean to highlight a major player in the illegal immigrant game that is presently mobilizing and exerting influence in DC on illegal immigrant legislation

And the Cardinal knows he's lying when he spouts the scare story that priests would be classified as felons if they didn't ask for "papers" before giving someone Communion.

There is a Catholic Charities here in San Diego area, that gives money to illegals on their way north...I called and asked them about it, and they said that Christ did not distinguish between illegals and legal people..and helped every one...

"There is a Catholic Charities here in San Diego area, that gives money to illegals on their way north...I called and asked them about it, and they said that Christ did not distinguish between illegals and legal people..and helped every one..."

Hmmm., so the Catholic Church is arguing that Christ saw no difference between people who broke the law and those did not. Well, if anybody, the Church certainly has the right to the moral high ground on an issue of law breaking and what to do about it.

And the Cardinal knows he's lying when he spouts the scare story that priests would be classified as felons if they didn't ask for "papers" before giving someone Communion.

This is also a lie. Nobody's going to prison for giving an illegal alien a drink of water or for calling 911 if an illegal needs emergency medical care.

It would also place stiff penalties (up to five years for each offense) on any Good Samaritan who dared to help illegal immigrants.

Clearly Christians are to obey the laws of the land unless the laws are immoral. Does calling INS to report an illegal constitute something immoral? With Mexico, I don't see a problem, but I would have a dilemma if it's with a illegal North Korean because they would be executed if sent back home.

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

Romans 13:1-3

I just don't understand this. I have strong Catholic ties, and fully realize they do alot of good work, but realistically speaking, is this just an attempt to fill their pews once again? Keep in mind, that is not meant to be offensive, but a real question.

"I just don't understand this. I have strong Catholic ties, and fully realize they do alot of good work, but realistically speaking, is this just an attempt to fill their pews once again? Keep in mind, that is not meant to be offensive, but a real question."

Unfortunately, I feel you're right.

Not for giving a drink of water directly to a person who happened to be an illegal alien. But I certainly hope we can imprison the people who are installing and refilling trails of large barrels across illegal entry route, to aid the illegals in their illegal activity and make illegal entry a more attractive choice. I just love it when Minutement and similar groups shoot holes in those barrels.

But I certainly hope we can imprison the people who are installing and refilling trails of large barrels across illegal entry route,

I don't know how the Sensenbrenner bill would treat that, but I agree with you that the water barrels are there to aid in an illegal activity.

I just love it when Minutement and similar groups shoot holes in those barrels.

I'm glad I don't live in that area because I'd be dead by now. I don't know how the people who live there put up with all of this crap.

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant!

Mahony is a commie bastard and has been harboring illegal aliens for over 40 years that I know of.

If the legislation becomes law Mahony should be the first one to go to prison!!!

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