C
- Status
J
JReducation
Guest
I believe that the Cardinal has made some points of great importance for Catholics in the USA.
Br. JR, OSF
- The immigration issue must be faced head-on. We cannot shove our heads in the sand.
- Immigration law, as it stands, is chaotic. I lacks reason because it is often prejudiced against the poor or those who come from poorer countries. This is something that Catholics cannot stand by and tolerate. We need immigation laws that treat all people with dignity and equity.
- Immigation law, when it is applied by immigration officers, often is destructive to the unity of families. Family is the core of any society. Therefore the family must be protected above the law. The law has to be applied in a way that grants the protection of the unity of the family.
- We must look at the cause of illegal immigation. Many people live in horrible circumstances. The moral question is whether some of our own large American enterprises are partnering with corrupt governments that only increase the number of poor people in developing nations, rather than decrease it. If the number of suffering people were decreased, maybe more would remain in their own countries. We must ask our government to refrain from supporting governments that opress their people and stop American companies from contributing to poverty in other nations, because they find a tax shelter there. Let these company pay taxes in the USA for the profits that they make abroad. This wold also help our own economy.
- Finally, he offers the bishops’ help to the legislators. I doubt that these legislators will accept it. We can offer to help. Every Catholic should offer to help their legislators.
Br. JR, OSF
R
rlg94086
Guest
I hope the Senate (and House) heed the Cardinal’s words and actually produce meaningful, comprehensive reform. Due to the failure of the last Congress, we missed a chance to have such reform, and I am concerned that the current Congress may revert to a knee-jerk, blanket amnesty. The status quo is not working, and amnesty will just maintain the status quo.I believe that the Cardinal has made some points of great importance for Catholics in the USA.
Fraternally,
- The immigration issue must be faced head-on. We cannot shove our heads in the sand.
- Immigration law, as it stands, is chaotic. I lacks reason because it is often prejudiced against the poor or those who come from poorer countries. This is something that Catholics cannot stand by and tolerate. We need immigation laws that treat all people with dignity and equity.
- Immigation law, when it is applied by immigration officers, often is destructive to the unity of families. Family is the core of any society. Therefore the family must be protected above the law. The law has to be applied in a way that grants the protection of the unity of the family.
- We must look at the cause of illegal immigation. Many people live in horrible circumstances. The moral question is whether some of our own large American enterprises are partnering with corrupt governments that only increase the number of poor people in developing nations, rather than decrease it. If the number of suffering people were decreased, maybe more would remain in their own countries. We must ask our government to refrain from supporting governments that opress their people and stop American companies from contributing to poverty in other nations, because they find a tax shelter there. Let these company pay taxes in the USA for the profits that they make abroad. This wold also help our own economy.
- Finally, he offers the bishops’ help to the legislators. I doubt that these legislators will accept it. We can offer to help. Every Catholic should offer to help their legislators.
Br. JR, OSF
In my opinion, we need a guest worker program. Allow businesses who are in need of seasonal migrant workers to hire them from abroad at a lower wage, house them, take care of their medical needs while they are here and then send them back at the end of the season.
For those who need permanent workers, they should have to post the position to hire current legal residents or citizens; provide evidence that they could not fill the position in that manner; and then be allowed to issue a Visa w/work permit to someone from overseas. These jobs would be subject to the same wage laws as others jobs.
J
JReducation
Guest
Bold is mine.
This is already in immigration law exactly as you describe it. If you hire a foreigner, you must prove that you were unable to hire a legal resident. You must post an ad in the paper. You must track your interviews and present them to the INS.
For example, when we bring in our religious from other countries, we have to prove that they are needed and that we do not have religious in the USA who can do their job. In the case of a religious community, we do not have to post an ad or interview. We just present the need and the status of the members of the congregation to prove that we don’t have anyone to take over a certain ministry. But when we employ a lay person, we do have to place an ad, interview and them prove that we have done all the above and cannot find anyone who meets our requirements. Interestingly enough, we often fail to meet residents who meet our requirements, because the salaries that we can pay are very low compared to the private sector. Also, in the area of education, there is a real shortage of teachers. So we often have to look for teachers elsewhere. Besides, Catholic schools cannot afford the salaries and benefits that public schools offer.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
D
d97c
Guest
The Bishops in this country write these pastoral letters which encourage open borders and violation of the law! When do the illegals begin to 1. stop violating the law and 2 respect the laws of the host country? Why do you NEVER hear the Bishops reminding the illegals of THEIR DUTIES !! Ask the public hospitals in California which have closed due to demand of ILLEGALS.
N
Nec5
Guest
Just as every person has a right to determine who is allowed into his home, so too does every country have a right to determine who is allowed into the nation. If I find some guy living in my attic, I’m throwing him out. It really is that simple.
As for our immigration laws, they are an enforcement joke. That does not mean that people are morally justified to enter a country without permission. It is no different than me leaving the front door open. That does not give anyone a right to come on inside.
The fact that many of these people started families here is their problem, and they will have to deal with the consequences of acting irresponsibly on at least two occasions (the intrusion and the compounding of the problem by having kids/marrying).
Another unanswered point is that amnesty makes fools of all those thousands of folks who obeyed the law and legally went through the cumbersome immigration process. Justice should be fair to all.
Edit: Our trade policies concerning outsourcing are at the heart of companies employing sweatshops and overseas cheap labor markets. We should completely control immigration and encourage US manufacturing rather than farm out the country’s future tot he lowest bidder.
As for our immigration laws, they are an enforcement joke. That does not mean that people are morally justified to enter a country without permission. It is no different than me leaving the front door open. That does not give anyone a right to come on inside.
The fact that many of these people started families here is their problem, and they will have to deal with the consequences of acting irresponsibly on at least two occasions (the intrusion and the compounding of the problem by having kids/marrying).
Another unanswered point is that amnesty makes fools of all those thousands of folks who obeyed the law and legally went through the cumbersome immigration process. Justice should be fair to all.
Edit: Our trade policies concerning outsourcing are at the heart of companies employing sweatshops and overseas cheap labor markets. We should completely control immigration and encourage US manufacturing rather than farm out the country’s future tot he lowest bidder.
D
d97c
Guest
Totally agree nec5, but it really confuses me why these Bishops are in effect encouraging the violation of the law. Nothing is ever said about illegals’ duties or the duties of Mexico as a country. And someone answer this: WHO gets to say whether these illegals have the right to “migrate,”…only THEY get to decide whether it is morally right? Just because I “say” am “poor,” does that give me the right to sneak in here and steal SS #s and lie?
The Bishops need to look at what they are sowing here. Its ok to voilate the law IF I have an opinion that I can better myself if I believe I am “needy”?? Is that the criteria?? If so…where is the closest bank once I lose my job to the downturn in the economy…Right??
The Bishops need to look at what they are sowing here. Its ok to voilate the law IF I have an opinion that I can better myself if I believe I am “needy”?? Is that the criteria?? If so…where is the closest bank once I lose my job to the downturn in the economy…Right??
S
St_Francis
Guest
First, I want to say that I very much agree that immigration law needs to be fixed up. But I have some problems with what you say as related to our current situation.
However, I do feel upset that people think it’s all right for people from bordering nations to come in based on poverty while ignoring the fact that billions are living in greater poverty but too far away to be able to sneak into the States. I think we need to have a balanced and orderly way to regulate immigration, one which takes into account the needs of others but one which does not cause our national systems to be overwhelmed.
Moreover, we have people here starting families when they are still married to people in their nation of origin. This is something that a lot of people do not talk about when they talk about families.
One major reason for poverty is corrupt governments like Mugabwe’s, which many people know about, but also the farmers in South Africa are now facing some of the same difficulties that those who have fled or died in Simbabwe faced (my last-letter-of-the-alphabet key is not working).
Another reason for poverty is aid, much if which comes from the US. The aid means that local entrepreneurial efforts fail from lack of ability to compete with foreign aid.
Yes, we must get our heads out of the sand–this problem has been ignored and allowed to fester, and we really need to get a grip on it.
I don’t agree with you on this one. I think that regulating entry into this nation shold be based on *our *situation. We cannot base allowing people in on poverty, because we cant’ take care of everybody either.
However, I do feel upset that people think it’s all right for people from bordering nations to come in based on poverty while ignoring the fact that billions are living in greater poverty but too far away to be able to sneak into the States. I think we need to have a balanced and orderly way to regulate immigration, one which takes into account the needs of others but one which does not cause our national systems to be overwhelmed.
Families should be protected by the law, but should not be put above the law. What you are saying is to allow those who are here illegally to get off the hook by starting a family! Guess what? This may explain why the rate of illegitimate children among Mexicans in the US is higher than even our own rates.
Moreover, we have people here starting families when they are still married to people in their nation of origin. This is something that a lot of people do not talk about when they talk about families.
The main cause of illegal immigration is that our government does not enforce its own laws and that they can make more money here than in their own country. Moreover, every time the situation gets bad enough, we grant amnesty and say it will never happen again. We should have allowed for temporary agricultural workers to come here legally *decades *ago, and we should have started enforcing our own laws way back in the time of the *first *amnesty.
Most illegal immigrants are not those who lived in horrible circumstances. Those who live in horrible circumstances can’t get here.
There are many reasons for poverty in other nations, probably not due to our US enterprises partnering with corrupt governments. The problem with dealing with corrupt governments is that at any moment they can turn on you, and companies do not like having their investments taken from them, so they actually avoid dealing with corrupt governments.
One major reason for poverty is corrupt governments like Mugabwe’s, which many people know about, but also the farmers in South Africa are now facing some of the same difficulties that those who have fled or died in Simbabwe faced (my last-letter-of-the-alphabet key is not working).
Another reason for poverty is aid, much if which comes from the US. The aid means that local entrepreneurial efforts fail from lack of ability to compete with foreign aid.
T
Tigg
Guest
Whenever did the social justice teaching of the Church become so tweaked? I have always believed this entire issue is more political than anything else and a smoke screen towards a more socialistic government. Why are the bishops not remembering the issue of solidarity and the common good when referring to “comprehensive immigration reform,” which, BTW, is nothing more than double speak for blanket amnesty during a time when we are facing the greatest economic crisis since the great depression. The Centers for Immigration Reform have clearly stated time and time again that illegal entry into this country is now devastating other segments of society. Where is the concern for the black people, citizens of this nation, who have literally been poverty stricken by the influx of illegals willing to work at the jobs they previously held and lost to them? And now, we find that even jobs (mostly construction which, of course, threatens blue collar Americans) created by the stimulus have been taken as well. There was a recent study done which also showed that amnesty would create an even greater immigration into this country. It is exploitation of the Latinos as well, who, of course, are willing to work for a lower wage. WHAT INJUSTICE THIS IS!
Upholding the dignity of the human person - A RESOUNDING YES!
Sharing the commonwealth of nations - OF COURSE!
Helping the oppressed and poor - WITHOUT A DOUBT, OUR CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION!
Being complicit in the undermining of our national sovereignty and Constitution?
I DON’T THINK SO!
Bankrupting one country whose economy is already tanking - DON’T THINK SO!
What deception is being played out here.
M
MumboJumbo
Guest
Why don’t these Bishops start speaking God’s truth and condemn those “immigrants” that are in gangs and destroy American neighborhoods. Not one word is ever said in criticizm of those who spead terror because they might insult the families of those terrorists. The Pope should also condemn gang members for their allegiance to evil.
D
d97c
Guest
This illegal immigrant is the first time I really cant understand the Bishops. There is a real discoonnect. What do they say to the “legal” folks who come from other coutries whose job is taken by the illegal who in effect cuts in front of the legal person???
We need to 1. secure the border
2. penalyze the employer who hires the illegal and encourage the hiring of the legal
3. if the jobs dry up and they cant be hired, they will have no option but to go home
We need to 1. secure the border
2. penalyze the employer who hires the illegal and encourage the hiring of the legal
3. if the jobs dry up and they cant be hired, they will have no option but to go home
J
JReducation
Guest
We have to separate two issues here. Immoral behavior is one thing. Immoral behavior has always been condemned by the Church. Your status in a country has not bearing on it. If you steal, unless you’re hungry and have no other way of eating, you are commiting a sin. If you commit adultery, treat another person unjustly and so forth, these are all sins that have and will continue to be condemned.
The immigation issue falls under an completely different theological area. It comes under Ministerial Theology or Pastoral Theology, not moral theology. The Church has a moral obligation to care for immigrants. That includes all Catholics.
The position of the Church on illegal immigration is also very clear. The Church does not encourage illegal immigration, except in cases where people’s lives are threatened in their homeland or where they face hardships that they cannot overcome. In those cases, people have a moral right to see a better situation for themselves. Governments have an obligation to work cooperatively to end such situations. This is very clear in the Holy Father’s latest encyclical, as well as Rerum Novarum.
The objection of the Catholic Church is to the way that the government (in this case the USA) deals with illegal immigrants. But this can be with any country, not just the USA. The government has an obligation to treat all people with dignity. Because someone is an illegal immigrant they do not abdicate their dignity at the border. Dignity is given by God at the moment of conception.
If a person has commited no other crime, other than entering a country illegally, to treat them as if they were hardened criminals is a disproportionate response. The Church has a pastoral concern about all disproportionate responses, especially when it comes to the governments of the world. The USA is not the only government whom bishops around the world call to task for their disproportionate responses. Governments often tend to over respond or not respond at all to situations. Both are wrong.
We see the Church’s response in our country, because we live here and it seems as if we’re being bullied or targeted by bishops. But such is not the case. At the African Synod that just ended in Rome, the bishops of Africa just blasted their own governments for similar reasons. They have much more illegal immigration in Africa than we do in the USA, because of the wars and the other conditions that often force people to move or starve. In those countries the problem is just the opposite. The governments allow the persecution of peoples by others. They also steal the financial and other aids that are sent from the outside. The bishops just finished blasting those governments for their immorality.
When our own bishops blast our government, we cannot take it as a personal attack on us, the average American citizen. It’s not meant that way. Most of us are caring and giving people who would never deny help to anyoone who came to our door or to our parishes. But big time business and big time politicians are not us. They are not always looking for solutions that help everyone. They are looking for solutions that get them elected. This is why they get blasted by the bishops.
I’ll give one example, before I close. The family is a sacred unit. Whether the family is here legally ro illegally, it does not lose its sacredness. Whe immigration officials separate families, they are violating a fundamental human right that the Church’s pastoral concern must note and condemn. The current economic situation arround the world is pretty bleak. But at the same time, our government is talking about a healthcare bill that will cost the citizens of this country trillions of dollars over the next few years. The bishops look at these things and raise a very good moral question. If there is money for these expenditures, why isn’t there money to help people go back to work? The cry of many Americans against illegal immigration has more to do with finances than with crime. Let’s face it, the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11 were here legally. They had visas. They were able to get visas because they had money in the bank.
I lived as a missionary in South America for 7 years. The people who had money in the bank presented their bank statements to the Consulate General of the USA and were given a visa to enter the USA. Those who did not have money in the bank or property, were denied a visa. The terrorist just has to prove that he or she has money to spend and he/she can enter the USA legally. This is a big moral issue, as well as a safety issue. Both are worthy of pastoral concern. But the target of the criticism is the government, not you and me. The Church knows that you and I do not hurt others and are not responsible for the economic situation in which the world finds itself. We’re as much victims as the poor natives in Brazil.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
The immigation issue falls under an completely different theological area. It comes under Ministerial Theology or Pastoral Theology, not moral theology. The Church has a moral obligation to care for immigrants. That includes all Catholics.
The position of the Church on illegal immigration is also very clear. The Church does not encourage illegal immigration, except in cases where people’s lives are threatened in their homeland or where they face hardships that they cannot overcome. In those cases, people have a moral right to see a better situation for themselves. Governments have an obligation to work cooperatively to end such situations. This is very clear in the Holy Father’s latest encyclical, as well as Rerum Novarum.
The objection of the Catholic Church is to the way that the government (in this case the USA) deals with illegal immigrants. But this can be with any country, not just the USA. The government has an obligation to treat all people with dignity. Because someone is an illegal immigrant they do not abdicate their dignity at the border. Dignity is given by God at the moment of conception.
If a person has commited no other crime, other than entering a country illegally, to treat them as if they were hardened criminals is a disproportionate response. The Church has a pastoral concern about all disproportionate responses, especially when it comes to the governments of the world. The USA is not the only government whom bishops around the world call to task for their disproportionate responses. Governments often tend to over respond or not respond at all to situations. Both are wrong.
We see the Church’s response in our country, because we live here and it seems as if we’re being bullied or targeted by bishops. But such is not the case. At the African Synod that just ended in Rome, the bishops of Africa just blasted their own governments for similar reasons. They have much more illegal immigration in Africa than we do in the USA, because of the wars and the other conditions that often force people to move or starve. In those countries the problem is just the opposite. The governments allow the persecution of peoples by others. They also steal the financial and other aids that are sent from the outside. The bishops just finished blasting those governments for their immorality.
When our own bishops blast our government, we cannot take it as a personal attack on us, the average American citizen. It’s not meant that way. Most of us are caring and giving people who would never deny help to anyoone who came to our door or to our parishes. But big time business and big time politicians are not us. They are not always looking for solutions that help everyone. They are looking for solutions that get them elected. This is why they get blasted by the bishops.
I’ll give one example, before I close. The family is a sacred unit. Whether the family is here legally ro illegally, it does not lose its sacredness. Whe immigration officials separate families, they are violating a fundamental human right that the Church’s pastoral concern must note and condemn. The current economic situation arround the world is pretty bleak. But at the same time, our government is talking about a healthcare bill that will cost the citizens of this country trillions of dollars over the next few years. The bishops look at these things and raise a very good moral question. If there is money for these expenditures, why isn’t there money to help people go back to work? The cry of many Americans against illegal immigration has more to do with finances than with crime. Let’s face it, the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11 were here legally. They had visas. They were able to get visas because they had money in the bank.
I lived as a missionary in South America for 7 years. The people who had money in the bank presented their bank statements to the Consulate General of the USA and were given a visa to enter the USA. Those who did not have money in the bank or property, were denied a visa. The terrorist just has to prove that he or she has money to spend and he/she can enter the USA legally. This is a big moral issue, as well as a safety issue. Both are worthy of pastoral concern. But the target of the criticism is the government, not you and me. The Church knows that you and I do not hurt others and are not responsible for the economic situation in which the world finds itself. We’re as much victims as the poor natives in Brazil.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
M
manualman
Guest
Thanks JR! The USA immigration policy is indeed a disgrace to our nation. BOTH major parties, however, seem to me to enjoy keeping the status quo. Rich business owners enjoy the disposable labor that often works for subminimum wages and requires no benefits. Leftist activists recognize that this exploitation creates a new generation voting block for them, so they have no real vested interest in fixing things either! Politicians foresee the benefit from SS taxes deducted and credited to non-existant SS#'s that will never need to be paid out on (might delay Social Security doomsday a few years!)
The fact is that unless you are an American Indian, every American is or is descended from an illegal immigrant. So there! ALL our ancestors came here looking for something better and didn’t give a rip about the damage done to the original inhabitants as a result. There’s not much we can do about that today, but we can at LEAST be a bit charitable towards today’s version of our great, great grandparents! The fact is that the USA can absorb a large number of immigrants each year with no major harm. Here’s what the bishops should push for:
The fact is that unless you are an American Indian, every American is or is descended from an illegal immigrant. So there! ALL our ancestors came here looking for something better and didn’t give a rip about the damage done to the original inhabitants as a result. There’s not much we can do about that today, but we can at LEAST be a bit charitable towards today’s version of our great, great grandparents! The fact is that the USA can absorb a large number of immigrants each year with no major harm. Here’s what the bishops should push for:
- Our pitiful quota system should be blown out to something like 80% of what occurs (including illegals) anyway. MANY times larger than what it is today (probably a factor of 10). Priority goes to those who have lawfully been waiting for years.
- Offer limited ‘plea bargain’ style settlement to current illegals for a limited time. Turn yourself in, plead guilty, be assessed a nominal fine (or community service hours), get 5 years probation. Any crime more serious than speeding during that time and you get deported. Serve it honorably and become eligible for naturalization. The key here is to establish a path for normalcy that is tougher than those who waited at home for a legal entry route. NOT a reward for illegal entry.
- Get serious about border security. Fences, patrols, whatever. Fund it with the fine income from the plea bargains, if necessary. Deport anybody caught who failed to surrender before the plea bargain deadline.
- Give counties and local governments carrots and sticks to participate in immigration enforcement. There is no excuse to immigrate illegally once we make the quotas fair and reasonable.
- No guest workers. You want to make money off the American economy, you come BE an American. Tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free WELCOME! Expect to have to work hard.
J
JReducation
Guest
This all sounds much more Catholic than treating or looking at people as if they were things that we can throw away without any concern for human dignity. Again, I’m going to repeat myself. The bishops are not talking to the average Cathlic who posts on these threads. None of us would deny charity or compassion for any of these people if they came to our doors with a sick child or an elderly parent. They are talking to politicians who are playing games with the lives of the immigrants and the citizens of the nations around the world.
I’d like to add one more thing. Please hear it as it is said, in my most gengle and Franciscan voice. Politicians play games with immigrants, in all countries. Don’t allow either the left or the right absorb you. Look at their motives and aks yourself, if they are really interested in making you happier and your country a holier and gentler nation.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
D
d97c
Guest
manual…I totally agree with your point by point solution.
M
MumboJumbo
Guest
In order to attack the problem, you must first address the cause which is the people themselves. The overpopulation of the countries south of the border of the United States is at dangerous levels.
The population of Latin America and the Carribbean has jumped from 157,626,000 in 1950 to 557,979,000 in 2005. An increase of 232%. The life expectancy in that area has gone from 51.4 years to 72 years of age.
In 55 years, the population of Mexico has increased from 27,741,000 to 104,266,000. The life expectancy of the average Mexican (around 75) is near that of the average US citizen while it used to be around 50 years of age in 1950.
The Human Development Index (standard of living) conducted by the United Nations has ranked Mexico in the 50-55 range out of 175 countries around the world for years. The poverty is just not there as has been advertised.
Mexicans do not live as well as Americans, of course but they are far from the poverty of the other 100+ countries around the world.
The HDI for the United States has steadily been dropping since these illegal immigrants have been entering the US for the last 10 years. The US once ranked around 2-5. It is now at 15 and that is using statistics from 2 years ago before the economic problems we see today.
The US is in a steady decline and can no longer afford to be the charity it once was. Countries around the world must start taking responsibility for caring for their own people.
You also must remember that when you bring one of these people into the US, you displace a poor American which has been a loyal US citizen for years. The United States has always sacrificed it’s own people to bring peace and justice to the world. Isn’t it about time the poor of the United States receive some charity from the world.
The population of Latin America and the Carribbean has jumped from 157,626,000 in 1950 to 557,979,000 in 2005. An increase of 232%. The life expectancy in that area has gone from 51.4 years to 72 years of age.
In 55 years, the population of Mexico has increased from 27,741,000 to 104,266,000. The life expectancy of the average Mexican (around 75) is near that of the average US citizen while it used to be around 50 years of age in 1950.
The Human Development Index (standard of living) conducted by the United Nations has ranked Mexico in the 50-55 range out of 175 countries around the world for years. The poverty is just not there as has been advertised.
Mexicans do not live as well as Americans, of course but they are far from the poverty of the other 100+ countries around the world.
The HDI for the United States has steadily been dropping since these illegal immigrants have been entering the US for the last 10 years. The US once ranked around 2-5. It is now at 15 and that is using statistics from 2 years ago before the economic problems we see today.
The US is in a steady decline and can no longer afford to be the charity it once was. Countries around the world must start taking responsibility for caring for their own people.
You also must remember that when you bring one of these people into the US, you displace a poor American which has been a loyal US citizen for years. The United States has always sacrificed it’s own people to bring peace and justice to the world. Isn’t it about time the poor of the United States receive some charity from the world.
J
JReducation
Guest
The point is that as Catholics we must think about charity in global terms, not national terms. We’re Catholics first, Americans second. We cannot solve the core issues of every nation, including our own. But we can face the circumstances that we have today. When Catholics begin to think in terms of statistics, then there is something seriously wrong with our spirituality.
Our tradition of charity is not based on numbers. It is based on the example that we have inherited from our own Catholic people:
Francis de Sales
Vincent de Paul
Francis of Assisi
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Elizabeth Ann Seton (mother of 5)
John Neuman
Louise de Marillac (mother of 7)
Elizabeth of Hungary (mother of 3)
Damien de Veuster
Joaquina of Vedruna (mother of 5)
Thomas Moore (father of 3)
Catherine de Hueck (mother of 1)
Rita of Cassia (mother of 2)
And the list goes on. Their lives and their work is what we should be reading and what should be inspiring and driving every Catholic, not statistics and government reports. We all know that governments come and go. Each one is going to paint the picture in such a way as to get them elected or keep them in power.
Our lives, as Catholics, must be commited to the cross. We must love as he loved and give as he gave. This is the essence of the Gospel mystery. St. Francis of Assisi one asked Christ to allow him to suffer in his body what Christ had suffered. He also asked Christ to allow him to love as much as Christ loved.
When facing the poverty of the world and our own response, we must also pray for the grace to suffer and love as Christ suffered and loved. Trust me, things happen and resources to pop up. I know this for a fact. I have lived with it for years. We have nothing, but yet we have everything that we need to take care of our people and ourselves. God is graciously good. We have to let go, give, share and trust.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
M
MumboJumbo
Guest
I was an American before I became a Catholic. A person becomes a Catholic through baptism which normally happens days or weeks after birth. But I became an American the minute I was born. The American saints are those soldiers and patriots who died fighting evil, not trying to coexist with it.The point is that as Catholics we must think about charity in global terms, not national terms. We’re Catholics first, Americans second. We cannot solve the core issues of every nation, including our own. But we can face the circumstances that we have today. When Catholics begin to think in terms of statistics, then there is something seriously wrong with our spirituality.
Our tradition of charity is not based on numbers. It is based on the example that we have inherited from our own Catholic people:
Francis de Sales
Vincent de Paul
Francis of Assisi
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Elizabeth Ann Seton (mother of 5)
John Neuman
Louise de Marillac (mother of 7)
Elizabeth of Hungary (mother of 3)
Damien de Veuster
Joaquina of Vedruna (mother of 5)
Thomas Moore (father of 3)
Catherine de Hueck (mother of 1)
Rita of Cassia (mother of 2)
And the list goes on. Their lives and their work is what we should be reading and what should be inspiring and driving every Catholic, not statistics and government reports. We all know that governments come and go. Each one is going to paint the picture in such a way as to get them elected or keep them in power.
Our lives, as Catholics, must be commited to the cross. We must love as he loved and give as he gave. This is the essence of the Gospel mystery. St. Francis of Assisi one asked Christ to allow him to suffer in his body what Christ had suffered. He also asked Christ to allow him to love as much as Christ loved.
When facing the poverty of the world and our own response, we must also pray for the grace to suffer and love as Christ suffered and loved. Trust me, things happen and resources to pop up. I know this for a fact. I have lived with it for years. We have nothing, but yet we have everything that we need to take care of our people and ourselves. God is graciously good. We have to let go, give, share and trust.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
The people illegally entering this country are dangerous to the US. The practice of ignoring US laws must stop. The practice of funneling funds to Latin America that are meant to feed the world’s poor must also stop.
Why is the Catholic Church financing Latin Americans dispropotionately to the rest of the world? How can the Catholic Church claim to be universally concerned with all the world’s poor when they don’t show it.
80% of the world’s population is in the eastern hemisphere. The populations of Latin America and the Carribean only account for 8.5% of the world’s population. The Catholic Church should be more concerned with practicing what it preaches and feeding the world’s poor.
But if you say that we must feed the people nearest to us, then I say feed Americans first, then feed the rest of the world with funds that are equally distributed to the poor of the world.
That is called justice.
J
JReducation
Guest
Our American citizenship does not outrank our Catholicism, because we were born American and baptize afterward. Our Catholic faith always trumps all national boundaries.
In addition, if you were born to Catholic parents, you were Catholic when you were born. Baptism is the sacrament of initiation. But a child born to Catholic parents is already a Catholic by the desire of the parents to raise their child Catholic. This is a basic principle that Catholicism has inherited from Judaism and has never changed.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
T
Tigg
Guest
JR – I address my post to you and would appreciate your comments because I am really trying to understand why Catholics, on average, are so confused about the authentic social justice teaching of the Church and appear to be guilt-ridden by feelings of inadequately caring for those illegals entering our country.
I asked in an earlier post why, in defending the numbers of illegal people, we never hear about the common good which is an essential principle in the social justice teaching of the Chuch. Solidarity does not say that we must put the poor above everyone else, but that we must include the poor as authentic participants in society. Because we are really responsible for all, we must be determined to commit ourselves to the common good.
I believe it safe to say without a doubt, many are ignorant of the adverse affects of millions coming over our borders. Our southern black communities have been especially devastated by jobs lost to them with entire industries being taken over by illegal Hispanics. We see it in the construction industry as well which hits the average American worker trying to support his family in a tanked economy with rising inflation. We hear of bankrupted hospitals and emergency care centers which can no longer sustain the burden. We see the ill effects in the area of education due to bi-lingual programs that academically and economically strip from American kids that which they once had. Our neighborhoods are especially hard hit with reports showing rampant illegal-alien home-loan fraud; yes, also perpetrated by greedy financial institutions. We hear of unprecedented crime and drugs coming into our neighborhoods and subdivisions where covenants are no longer honored, where the physical properties are not being maintained resulting in a further loss of home values. We see what has happened to our National Parks with thousands ruining the land with trash that harms the environment. We hear of identity theft and stolen social security numbers. We see the unsustainable financial burden, and there are reports that indicate if amnesty is passed, there will be millions more coming into this country with an even greater taxpayer burden.
The reality is that Americans are becoming displaced in their own country. Why do our Churchmen continue to ignore these factors which greatly impact the common good?
I asked in an earlier post why, in defending the numbers of illegal people, we never hear about the common good which is an essential principle in the social justice teaching of the Chuch. Solidarity does not say that we must put the poor above everyone else, but that we must include the poor as authentic participants in society. Because we are really responsible for all, we must be determined to commit ourselves to the common good.
I believe it safe to say without a doubt, many are ignorant of the adverse affects of millions coming over our borders. Our southern black communities have been especially devastated by jobs lost to them with entire industries being taken over by illegal Hispanics. We see it in the construction industry as well which hits the average American worker trying to support his family in a tanked economy with rising inflation. We hear of bankrupted hospitals and emergency care centers which can no longer sustain the burden. We see the ill effects in the area of education due to bi-lingual programs that academically and economically strip from American kids that which they once had. Our neighborhoods are especially hard hit with reports showing rampant illegal-alien home-loan fraud; yes, also perpetrated by greedy financial institutions. We hear of unprecedented crime and drugs coming into our neighborhoods and subdivisions where covenants are no longer honored, where the physical properties are not being maintained resulting in a further loss of home values. We see what has happened to our National Parks with thousands ruining the land with trash that harms the environment. We hear of identity theft and stolen social security numbers. We see the unsustainable financial burden, and there are reports that indicate if amnesty is passed, there will be millions more coming into this country with an even greater taxpayer burden.
The reality is that Americans are becoming displaced in their own country. Why do our Churchmen continue to ignore these factors which greatly impact the common good?
- Status