THANKS.
justin
New Archbishop of Miami explains immigration stance
Orlando, Fla., May 7 (CNA) .-
U.S. immigration laws are "immoral and unjust" and should be reformed to create a "path to citizenship," Bishop of Orlando Thomas Wenski has said. Comparing illegal entry into the U.S. to a misdemeanor like jaywalking, he noted that participants in the Boston Tea Party were also lawbreakers.
Weeks before his appointment to become Archbishop-designate of Miami, Bishop Wenski spoke to the Diocese of Orlando's Pastoral Council on March 27. He said that immigration laws
are "immoral and unjust" because they are "antiquated" and "inadequate" for present realities, according to the Florida Catholic newspaper.
"When we look at illegal entry into the U.S. from a Catholic perspective, we understand that it doesn't carry a moral judgment on that person," the bishop commented, comparing the situation
to Jim Crow laws which barred blacks from drinking out of white drinking fountains.
"It is not a felony to be in this country
illegally — it's a misdemeanor, which is what you do when you jaywalk or speed. You don't become a criminal because you have a lead foot or don't use the crosswalk," he explained.
Adding that the U.S. bishops are not necessarily advocating amnesty, he said they advocate "a path to citizenship." "So if people didn't follow the proper procedures in coming into this country, then just as with jaywalking, you get a fine," he commented.
Comprehensive reform would allow employers a legal method of bringing workers to the country. "First, let's give a path to legality for those who are here. Next, let's support the reunification of families," he added, noting the ten-year waiting period for bringing families into the country.
He pointed out that the "patriots" of the Boston Tea Party were law breakers, as was civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. If these people can be honored, he argued, then the situation of illegal
immigrants can be resolved and they can integrate into American society.
Noting that social justice is part of the Catholic faith, he added that Catholics cannot pray "Thy will be done" without committing themselves to social justice.
9 comments:
Sounds okay to me.
However, his words: ...because they are "antiquated" and "inadequate" for present realities... should apply equally to religious doctine in my view. What was good for the goose 2000 years ago is not necessarily good for the gander of today. But so often doctine refuses to budge, and for the life of me I can't understand why.
We're all works in progress, as is the society in which we live and participate. So let's not ignore the 'progress' aspect.
That's easier said than done, of course. Progress means change.
Thanks, Gary. . . and I agree with you!. . . "Antiquated /inadequate" should apply equally for religious doctrine!
But it seems to be "pick n choose", carefully avoiding the entire area of human sexuality! If this bishop continues his way of thinking, maybe he will "evolve" further in his applying principles. . . .he HAS to move from this to the next. . . .God help us!
It's always easier for anyone to point out someone elses faults. So Gary's comment about the religion being antiquated and they should look at themselves falls into the usual hypocracy that is organized relgion.
I do agree that the whole thing should be evaluated for improvement. I personally know a Mexican that has lived 15 years in this country. His whole life is here, yet he keeps getting deported. I don't like that he doesn't pay taxes. But I can sympathize with him about his life as an alien. If he could become a citizen, then maybe he could start paying his fair share of taxes.
I still say that the fault layes with the people that hire the illegals.
If we all work together and stop blaming everyone but ourselves, we can find a solution. Good point Justin.
Equating the enforcement of our borders and repatriation of illegal immigrants to the civil rights movement, which clearly involved an invidious discrimination against an identified group of American citizens, is a prime example of the false logic that has characterized this debate. And it is propelled by an ulterior motive: the propagation of the Catholic faith. Poor Mexicans have been filling the cathedrals since the church cooked up the story of Our Lady of Guadelope, even to the point of painting into the virgin's aura the Quetzal feathers so prised by the Aztecs. It's a great racket, but it gets out of hand when the needs of the church carry more weight than the good of the nation.
"J". . . were i a trial lawyer I'd never let you get away with these blatantly unprovable accusations which are merely imagined prejudicial projections with nothing to support them but . . . I am lost for a word here. . .hahahaaaaa
tsk. . .tsk. . ..tsk. . .
juatin o'shea, j.u.d.*
as fictional as the projected allegations. LOL
I rather like the phrase "cooked up the story..." Hehe. A bit of humor when you're cranky doesn't go astray ya know.
I paid attention to the Quetzal feather observation after talking with a very sophisticated Mexican gentleman who was having breakfast at the Camino Real hotel in Mexico City. He found out that I was planning to visit the shrine, and he offered the fascinating history of the image of Our Lady, which allegedly appeared miraculously on the poncho of a Mexican peasant who dutifully presented it to the priests. I went to the shrine, and, damned if that fellow was right. The Quetzal feathers were emanating from the virgin's head. I was as repulsed by this cynnical manipulation of the indian population as I was the medicants who were slowly crawling across the vast plaza to the shrine, praying and kissing the stones at each marginal advancement, their knees bloody, just as my mother was 30 years before when she visited the place. Frankly, Justin, I found it too pathetic and primitive for words.
I don't doubt that religion gives people a great deal of comfort, and I can certainly embrace the ethical message of Jesus. What his churches overlook is that the message doesn't need phony miracles, promises of everlasting life or damnation, and mummery to advance its cause. It stands on its own sterling merits. To borrow the words of the songwriter Leonard Cohen, it is for this that intelligent persons "want to travel with him, you want to travel blind." I'd like to think you are among that company.
I wonder if this debate would rage on as much if these words were spoken by someone other than a catholic bishop.
Stew. . .of course it would not! The fact that this happens to be the regular teaching of the RCC on social issues -- not just immigration- - -is lost of most of our critics. ;-)
Were I a trial lawyer I'd nail "J" squarely on his emotive projected prejudices. . .none of which is provable fact!
Also much of the stuff he cites is cultural, indigenous to the locale.
You don't see such practices going on in other parts of the RC world. It has a rather Hispanic flavor. . .akin to running the bulls, and the taunting and mutilation of bulls in the stadium. . .called "bull fighting": they get off on blood and guts. [This later is a Gallic Hibernian-Nordic projection! ] LOL hahahaaa]
Prior to their machismo drama toreadors spend a modicum of time "praying" before an image of Madonna and Child. .with vested solemnity . . Religion? Hardly. . . imho. LOL
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