Eastern Orthodox and Open borders

[JW55]

If i understand the message of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or at least a portion of them are advocating an open borders concept between the U.S. and adjacent countires (As always, please correct me if I have interpretted this incorrectly). The position taken by the Catholic position seems to express immigration reform but it seems like it is advocating easier access to this country rather than stricter screening practices.

Do the Eastern Orthodox Church or other churches take any positon on this issue?

 

[Nine_Two]

I don’t think any Orthodox Church, nor the Communion as a whole, has taken a position on immigration, though I am certain individual Bishops have.

 

[ralphinal]

I am not sure that it is fair to say that the USCCB, or the Catholic Church as a whole, wants open borders. What they have said is that it is a questionable moral position to prevent people from providing a life for their families for no reason other than a border or because someone is of a different race or nationality. A nation has the right to enforce border crossing laws or immigration controls as a matter of security, but not simply to keep “those people” out

 

[JW55]

I am not sure that it is fair to say that the USCCB, or the Catholic Church as a whole, wants open borders. What they have said is that it is a questionable moral position to prevent people from providing a life for their families for no reason other than a border or because someone is of a different race or nationality. A nation has the right to enforce border crossing laws or immigration controls as a matter of security, but not simply to keep “those people” out

I don’t think the Catholic Church as a whole is expressing that, nor do I think all bishops are, however I think the statement released by the USCCB seems to be advocating making it easier for those who are illegally in this country to stay in this country. This seems to encourage ignoring the legal process of acquiring citizenship. That was my issue. I don’t think anyone should be discouraged from coming to this country. Race nor nationality should not be an issue. However, legal process should be followed. I haven’t seen any other Church take the position the USCCB appears to have taken.

 

[ralphinal]

I don’t think the Catholic Church as a whole is expressing that, nor do I think all bishops are, however I think the statement released by the USCCB seems to be advocating making it easier for those who are illegally in this country to stay in this country. This seems to encourage ignoring the legal process of acquiring citizenship. That was my issue. I don’t think anyone should be discouraged from coming to this country. Race nor nationality should not be an issue. However, legal process should be followed. I haven’t seen any other Church take the position the USCCB appears to have taken.

Ah, the “what to do with those that are here” is a different issue altogether (and not the one that you asked about in the OP). Our own politicians have no clue as to what to do without violating citizenship of some children that may have been born here, and they are not sure how to handle the hit to the economy.

 

[JW55]

Ah, the “what to do with those that are here” is a different issue altogether (and not the one that you asked about in the OP). Our own politicians have no clue as to what to do without violating citizenship of some children that may have been born here, and they are not sure how to handle the hit to the economy.

i guess would look at it as the same issue. You have the same situation of being here illegally, and they are indeed immigrants. I think you have to address it as one package. They have not gone a legal process to become citizens. It all has to be addressed in immigration reform.

 

[ralphinal]

i guess would look at it as the same issue. You have the same situation of being here illegally, and they are indeed immigrants. I think you have to address it as one package. They have not gone a legal process to become citizens. It all has to be addressed in immigration reform.

Becoming a citizen has little to do with being here legally or not. Many, many aliens are here legally and never once try to become citizens.

 

[PeaceSerenity]

Becoming a citizen has little to do with being here legally or not. Many, many aliens are here legally and never once try to become citizens.

Please, be fair. It is very hard to gain legal status if you are here illegally in the first place. And I don’t think you can blame people for choosing that option. We’re blessed here in America, and in a way it isn’t fair that we have so much and other so little. Furthermore, not all those that come here legally have the possibility to apply for citizenship because of the restrictions on their visas.

In terms of the Orthodox stance, the church as a whole has not taken a position on borders, at least not publicly. Really, if this came up in Congress and someone said “well the Orthodox church thinks…” half of Congress would stand up and say “who are the Orthodox”

Individual churches, however, will help anyone, regardless of legal status.