"Archbishop Chaput Speaks on Immigration Reform"

[fish90]

I like what is said here from the web page.
*
We need to remember that how we treat the weak, the infirm, the elderly, the unborn child and the foreigner reflects on our own humanity. We become what we do, for good or for evil. The Catholic Church respects the law, including immigration law. We respect those men and women who have the difficult job of enforcing it. We do not encourage or help anyone to break the law. We believe Americans have a right to solvent public institutions, secure borders and orderly regulation of immigration.*

catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=33837

I have a few questions. Do the bishops support amnesty for illegal immigrants and is amnesty contrary to obeying Caesar?

Best,
fish90

 

[rlg94086]

I like what is said here from the web page.
*
We need to remember that how we treat the weak, the infirm, the elderly, the unborn child and the foreigner reflects on our own humanity. We become what we do, for good or for evil. The Catholic Church respects the law, including immigration law. We respect those men and women who have the difficult job of enforcing it. We do not encourage or help anyone to break the law. We believe Americans have a right to solvent public institutions, secure borders and orderly regulation of immigration.*

catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=33837

I have a few questions. Do the bishops support amnesty for illegal immigrants and is amnesty contrary to obeying Caesar?

Best,
fish90

Hi fish90,

This is an old article, but I’ll try to answer your question.

There is not one official stance on “amnesty” from the bishops. Whatever the solution to the immigration problem, human dignity must be maintained. I believe Chaput supported the efforts by President Bush and Senators McCain and Kennedy.

 

[fish90]

Wow, my oops!

 

[pnewton]

I would also like to point out, that if one did support amnesty, that in itself does not mean one is failing to support immigration law. In fact, the proper way to oppose a law one sees as unjust is to support changing the law. If an amnesty program was enacted, then that would be the law. In such a case, I wonder if many who complain about those who violate immigration law would support such a measure, or if their support of the rule of law is dependant on supporting only the laws they like.