Posted on 12/23/2010 8:10:12 AM PST by Alex Murphy
Washington D.C., Dec 22, 2010 / 07:50 pm (CNA).- Although the controversial immigration DREAM Act failed to pass through the Senate last week, the support that the bill garnered in the House was enough to make Archbishop Jose Gomez, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Migration, “confident” that the legislation will succeed in the near future.
Despite the U.S. bishops endorsing the the DREAM Act – a bill that would grant citizenship to many children brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents – the measure was defeated in the U.S. Senate on Dec. 18 after supporters failed to muster enough votes to block a filibuster.
Sixty votes were needed to end the filibuster, but proponents could only gather 55, with 41 senators voting to prevent the bill from coming up for a vote before the full Senate. The U.S. House of Representatives, however, had earlier passed the bill on a 216-198 vote.
The act's full title is the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. It would have allowed young people who entered the United States before the age of 16 to apply for legal permanent residence and eventual citizenship, as long as they finish high school, have no criminal record, have lived in the U.S. for more than five years and complete two years of college or military service.
While Democrats largely supported the measure, Republicans had criticized it for encouraging illegal immigrants to bring their children across unsecured borders.
Archbishop Gomez said in a Dec. 21, statement, however, that because of the widespread approval the bill had among most U.S. representatives and a significant show of support among senators, “it is clear that a majority of Congress and of the American public support this common-sense humanitarian measure.”
“I am confident that one day – sooner rather than later – the DREAM Act will become the law of the land.”
Archbishop Gomez extended his thanks to congressional leaders who supported the legislation but also expressed sadness over its current failure.
“My heart goes out to the thousands of young people who would have been helped by the DREAM Act and were disappointed by the Senate action,” he said. “We will continue to work so that one day soon you will have the opportunity to become Americans.”
“The U.S. Catholic bishops will continue to advocate for humane immigration reform, so that we can attain an immigration system that properly balances the need to protect our national sovereignty with our obligation to honor fundamental human rights.”
Archbishop Gomez underscored the need for more “education” to ensure that “Catholics, as well as all Americans, fully understand the humanitarian consequences of a broken immigration system, especially on families.”
“My heart goes out to the thousands of young people who would have been helped by the DREAM Act and were disappointed by the Senate action,” he said. “We will continue to work so that one day soon you will have the opportunity to become Americans.”
“The U.S. Catholic bishops will continue to advocate for humane immigration reform, so that we can attain an immigration system that properly balances the need to protect our national sovereignty with our obligation to honor fundamental human rights.”
Sounds like somebody’s tax exempt status needs to be reviewed.
Well at least we know the views of the anti-american, homosexual, communist wing of the Roman Catholic Church.
Gomez is a member of Opus Dei. He is not anti-American, nor homosexual, nor communist.
Would you say the same thing about the Church for its stand against legalized abortion?
Ain't America a grand place!
Someone needs to inform the Archbiship that the complexion of the House will have been changed somewhat when they next reconvene.
BTW this sappy sentiment reeks of naivete - anyone close to the problem knows that any desire to 'become Americans' is driven by selfish personal interests rather than a patriotic sense of wanting to belong.
Any rational person can see that the vast majority of these people otherwise are perfectly happy to remain citizens of their native countries whilte they earn (or are given) a living here.
Exactly. His Excellency/Eminence/whatever seems to be in a bit of denial about the political facts on the ground.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
>>He is not anti-American,<<
If he’s for the DREAM Act or any other sort of amnesty I consider him anti-American.
A priest or bishop or deacon can speak to ISSUES. They lose the tax-exempt status if they endorse candidates.
I think many misunderstand this little bit of law.
**anti-american, homosexual, communist wing of the Roman Catholic Church.**
Why don’t you tell us outright that you hate the Catholic Church?
Do you know how Archbishop Gomez obtained his American citizenship? There are articles — because I posted one. He studied the language, studied the laws of the United States, studied the customs, took the test and PASSED it to become an American citizen.
Perhaps you did not know that.....he did it the right way and I believe he wants others to do it the right way.
He is not in favor of hand-outs at all.
Why do you put the name “Homosexual” on the Catholic Church when there are more homosexual acts performed by parents, teachers, coaches and ministers of Protestant churches? It’s just an old habit, right?
And why do you put the name “communist” on the Catholic Church? The Church has repeatedly stated that it does not support communistic views.
Perhaps you had better do some research before you let your fingers do the talking for you — in falsehoods galore!
Lord have mercy on you!
What happened to your obedience of the Commandment “Thought shalt not beat false witnness against your neighbor”??
The “wisdom of Gomex the Gomer” - how did we live without it?
Oops - “Gomex” should be “Gomez”.
If you push us mex... you ain’t going to like our PERMANENT solution.
LLS
Who's bearing false witness, Salvation?
And you need to be informed that Archbishop Gomez is NO Cardinal Mahony. Don’t try to pin Manhony’s previous ways on him!
He is opposed to most of what Mahony did. Check it out!
then he is anti-criminal. he should keep his freakin mouth shut, America has spoken. If he donts like it, go back where he comes from.
Our neighbors south of the border don’t believe in lines. Getting them to take-a-number is like getting cats to do close order drill.
If the Catholic church wants several million more tithing members, It can agree to act as surety for their housing, food, education, medication and costs of incareration.
But It isn’t prepared to do that, as you know, so It can take its sanctimonious scolding and get bent.
“there are more homosexual acts performed by parents, teachers, coaches and ministers of Protestant churches”
Smells like teen spirit. Source?
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.