Fr. Groeschel compared illegal immigrants to slaves

[finding_truth]

While it’s not good that the illegals are being treated as “slaves”, that statement in itself isn’t completely true. Slaves are literally owned, the illegals aren’t owned. They are free to change jobs, go back home, etc.

Okay, home is not that good of a place you say. Then why don’t they formally move themselves and their families to the US and enter as documented immigrants?

If someone breaks into your house and decides to live there because their home is a wreck, what should you do? Just say okay? Call the police? Send them back to where they came from?
Wouldn’t it be more Christian of them to knock on the door and say “I’m having some troubles right now. Can you help me out?”

Jesus did tell us to love our neighbors, but he never told us to be a doormat.

 

[Amolibri]

I think Fr Groeschel is saint. He is saying the same thigns Christ would say if He were here working among the poor, today in the country

People didn’t like Christ either because He told it like it is

God bless Fr Groeschel

Agreed! I’ve met Fr. Groeschel a few times, and he is a most compassionate, intelligent and holy man. Those who “never liked him” are playing politics, IMO…not conservative enough for you???
Our laws happen to classify people…they are not intrisically illegal (evil)!

 

[redrosetea]

They are treated a pawns. Our country needs their labor…it is using them to keep our food supply ticking along and to keep food prices down

If our country was not getting something our of them being here they would seal that border in a heartbeat

It is not an act of benevolence that they are let in and a blind eye turned to their entry…It is because they fill a need and do a service for us

Fr G has worked with the poor from the age of 18…I think he knows a bit about it

 

[puzzleannie]

While it’s not good that the illegals are being treated as “slaves”, that statement in itself isn’t completely true. Slaves are literally owned, the illegals aren’t owned. They are free to change jobs, go back home, etc.

.

some are, some are not, some are held in condition of semi-bondage, especially in offshore sweatshops in American possessions, or by American owned companies.

If we are going to talk about enforcing the law let’s talk about throwing the book at those who employ illegals without going through the legal process, who are raking in big bucks off their badly paid backs. When I see owners of meat-packing plants, orchards and farms, and hotels rounded up by the border patrol chasing them with dogs and incarcerated and deported, then I will believe in the justice of the law, until then, the law, sir, is an *** (Mr. Bumble, Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens).

 

[AliciaCL]

Fr. Groeschel is an incredible priest. I’m not sure what he is really saying. I think he is right that Mexican illegals are treated as slaves-- by the US business who are allowed to continue illegally employing them! Our own government is corrupt on this. They shut their eyes and let these businesses get profits on the backs of Mexican illegals. The people have spoken loudly that they want the practice corrected, the borders locked down and then we’ll deal with those who are here. The illegals get treated like slaves but they DO get free emergency medical, free education for their children, and they do get social security if they’ve paid in even under a false SSN number, and in some cases preference and discounts to US colleges. There is no choice in that matter— and we’re paying for it without having consented to it. Those who get paid in cash do not pay taxes. Regardless of their woes, it is economic theft of the American people. We’re not talking about absorbing a few outcasts but some 20 million people. There is so much wrong with the whole deal it’s damaging our democracy. Our elected officials ignore the clear desires of the people. The US businesses are bying off the elected officials. The businesses and the govt allow ongoing open lawbreaking. Hardly any state or other law enforcement will even inform immigration when they stop illegals. The courts make law on their own rather than interpret it and we have our bank accounts pick-pocketed. As a nation we are not required to destroy ourselves to be compassionate to the poor. We do what we can but we can. The US is usually the leader is giving to humanitarian causes. I just think the picture being painted that we’re stingy, cavalier and oppressive is a gross misstatement of what is going on. I’d keep listening to Fr, Groeschel however. I disagree with him sharply too. Surely, he means well. It also shows that you have to reason through things that a priest is telling you, not assume anything they say is the veritable word of God coming at you—not offense to them intended.

 

[MrS]

All in all, it is a very un-balanced situation.

The illegals come here for a few reasons. And too often those reasons are “permanent” benefits like citizenship for their children born here, education and medical entitlements etc. Yet their contributions are only temporary… they continue until they get caught and tossed out.

Temporary contributions… permanent rewards… hardly “slavery” in that situation.

Will the system change or improve? Not as long as a political influence prevails. The more subsidies, the more entitlements, the more handouts provided with the re-distribution of YOUR tax wealth, the more inclined the politicians are to look the other way… knowing that their reward comes at the November elections.

I concure with the prior post about us being the doormat… and not the door.

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[juanh]

We are the haves, they are the have nots. What would Christ do?

 

[finding_truth]

some are, some are not, some are held in condition of semi-bondage, especially in offshore sweatshops in American possessions, or by American owned companies.

If we are going to talk about enforcing the law let’s talk about throwing the book at those who employ illegals without going through the legal process, who are raking in big bucks off their badly paid backs. When I see owners of meat-packing plants, orchards and farms, and hotels rounded up by the border patrol chasing them with dogs and incarcerated and deported, then I will believe in the justice of the law, until then, the law, sir, is an *** (Mr. Bumble, Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens).

True, the companies are the bad guys. What they are doing is wrong. But, the illegals have set themselves up to be exploited by the mere fact that they came into this country illegally.

Again I ask, why aren’t they entering the country through legal entry points? Everybody seems to avoid this question and just say, awe, poor (illegal) immigrants. If they just want a better life, why start by breaking the law of the country you want to be better in?

 

[puzzleannie]

Again I ask, why aren’t they entering the country through legal entry points? ?

because there are quotas on how many people from a given country may obtain resident visas in a given year, it is nearly impossible to get one of those visas, and quotas are, as they have been since the first immigration laws were enacted, biased against non-white non-northern European entrants. Enforcement of the law, and this is the injustice Fr. G and bishops are most concerned about, breaks up families.

 

[chewchoo]

because there are quotas on how many people from a given country may obtain resident visas in a given year, it is nearly impossible to get one of those visas, and quotas are, as they have been since the first immigration laws were enacted, biased against non-white non-northern European entrants. Enforcement of the law, and this is the injustice Fr. G and bishops are most concerned about, breaks up families.

i have a cousin in poland who desperately wants to come to the US to live, and he can’t get a resident visa either. but he is honoring our country’s quota. (he can’t just walk into the US tho) he is also suffering unemployment at home in poland and wants a better life in the US.

i don’t get the concern about the enforcement of the law breaking up families. the families are broken because the illegals are entering illegally, right?

it seems that the concern is for somebody doing an illegal act, and not to try to change the laws. my point, i guess, is that if there was a real concern, those that are concerned would try to solve the problem, not just pity one aspect of the problem.

 

[Fitswimmer]

They are treated a pawns. Our country needs their labor…it is using them to keep our food supply ticking along and to keep food prices down

If our country was not getting something our of them being here they would seal that border in a heartbeat

It is not an act of benevolence that they are let in and a blind eye turned to their entry…It is because they fill a need and do a service for us

Fr G has worked with the poor from the age of 18…I think he knows a bit about it

I agree completely. The people are getting the blame, when the real sin is being committed by those that employ them. Companies hire them because they can exploit them-pay them less than legal citizens, ignore labor laws, ignore safety laws and threaten to report them to INS if they complain.

You want to end illegal immigration? Make it harder for companies that employ them-fine them enough that it’s a clear financial disadvantage to employ illegals and enforce those fines.

Once that happens, the massive flow across the border will slow down to a manageable level and we will be able to keep track of who is here for legitimate reasons and who isn’t.

 

[surfinpure]

I agree completely. The people are getting the blame, when the real sin is being committed by those that employ them. Companies hire them because they can exploit them-pay them less than legal citizens, ignore labor laws, ignore safety laws and threaten to report them to INS if they complain.

You want to end illegal immigration? Make it harder for companies that employ them-fine them enough that it’s a clear financial disadvantage to employ illegals and enforce those fines.

Once that happens, the massive flow across the border will slow down to a manageable level and we will be able to keep track of who is here for legitimate reasons and who isn’t.

I thoroughly agree.

 

[MarcoPolo]

If I understand correctly, the right to break the law only comes into moral play if one’s life is in serious jeopardy, like starvation or in need of shelter. If that is the case, where is the evidence that the majority of illegal immigrants are doing so for this reason?

Perhaps they can get a better life/job here. That’s why we have historically welcomed immigrants via a legal process.

Those who in this thread and elsewhere who are quite eager to visualize illegal immigrants as just trying to avoid life threatening poverty are welcome to produce evidence for such a belief. Perhaps evidence that their peers who did not migrate illegally are dying.

 

[Cosette]

Let’s say you were standing in a long long line of people who were waiting to be given something good: a pair of shoes, a piece of bread, a job, anything. Let’s also say that you knew that this line was going to be closed down within 10 minutes and nothing would be distributed again for an indefinite period of time. But you’re not too worried, because you can see that you’re going to make it to the front of the line in time to get your “whatever.” The line has been orderly, and everyone has been waiting patiently for a long time. Suddenly, a needy-looking person approaches you and says, “Listen, would you mind if I cut in line ahead of you, because I really need this ‘whatever’ for myself and my family and I know that unless I cut in, I won’t get to the front of the line in time.” Well, you look at this person and, yes, he seems to look as though he could use a break. “Why not let him in?” you ask yourself. After all, he’s not jeopardizing your position in the line, you’ll get yours in time. It certainly seems like the Christian thing to do. Why not just let him in and then you can feel good about helping someone else?
So you say, “Sure friend, you can go in front of me. I don’t mind. And good luck to you and your family.” You feel good about doing someone a good turn. He gets his “whatever” before the line closes, and you get yours.
But what would you tell that equally needy individual at the rear of the line who followed the rules, waited patiently, and came within seconds of getting his “whatever,” but was shut out because the line was closed down just as his turn had finally arrived. What about his needs and those of his family? How would you explain your “good deed” to him? What Christian principle covers the injustice of his not receiving that which he had a right to receive, and would have received, had you not permitted another person to take what should have been his?
It’s easy to say, “Let’s let illegal immigrants ‘cut the line,’” because we already have “ours.” After all, we’re Americans, we’re here. We’re legal. But what about those who have been waiting for YEARS, longing to come, but who must endure the red tape and frustration of following the rules so that they might finally avail themselves of the great opportunitites that only America can offer. They wait in countries across the globe, they are of every color and faith. What about them?

 

[Fitswimmer]

All in all, it is a very un-balanced situation.

The illegals come here for a few reasons. And too often those reasons are “permanent” benefits like citizenship for their children born here, education and medical entitlements etc. Yet their contributions are only temporary… they continue until they get caught and tossed out.

Temporary contributions… permanent rewards… hardly “slavery” in that situation.

Will the system change or improve? Not as long as a political influence prevails. The more subsidies, the more entitlements, the more handouts provided with the re-distribution of YOUR tax wealth, the more inclined the politicians are to look the other way… knowing that their reward comes at the November elections.

I concure with the prior post about us being the doormat… and not the door.

.

.

The more $$ that business can make by hiring them instead of legal Citizens…don’t forget that.

Democrats won’t do anything because they depend on the Hispanic vote
Republicans won’t do anything because they need the business vote.

Therefore…nothing gets done…

 

[AngloCatholic1]

Let me just preface my comment by staing that I am a Canadian whose ancestors came to Pennsylvania TWO GENERATIONS BEFORE the Revolution. My roots are more “American” than 99% of Americans. Having said that… here’s my humble view:

In my view, Fr. Groeschel is far more right than he is wrong.

This is not just an American “problem”. It is in fact a world-wide phenomenon. Here in Canada it was recently reported by the government that there are hundreds of thousands of illlegals who have received deportation notices from the authorities… but the RCMP can’t seem to find them! I don’t think Big Business wants the RCMP to try too hard, and the Prime Minister’s office knows it!!! The situation is the same in Britain… and all over the Christian “developed” world.

Why? Because, up until very recently, the concept of “Nation” included language, culture, race and religion. White Christians who spoke English (either first or second language) once actually had LARGE FAMILIES! Each generation was replaced with a LARGER generation of the SAME people. This was called NATION BUILDING. All races and cultures were doing this, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob chose to BLESS those nations who HONOURED HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.

Then came SATAN to sew his seed of distrust in the Christian establishment. And let’s face facts here, our “Christian” societies may have been the GREATEST mankind had ever seen (12 men walking on the Moon!) but we were far from perfect. There was alot of injustice going on, and Satan encouraged the youth to TEAR IT ALL DOWN rather than just fix up the troubled spots. The result? The 1960’s! “God is Dead!” reached the brains of the youth (I know it, because I was a part of it), kids in school no longer read from the Bible… but from Darwin! “Born to Be Wild”! Small wonder they all started behaving like Apes!

As a result of the “generation that committed cultural suicide”, the blessings of God are beginning to dry up in the former “Christian” nations (just ask anyone over 50, and they tell you it’s been all DOWN HILL in the West for the past 30 years), but we’re still MUCH BETTER OFF than most of the rest of the world… and the rest of the world has discovered this.

My ancestors came to America for religious freedom (they were “Brethren Church” anabaptists). God’s blessings followed them. But what brings immigrants to America today? MONEY! LOVE OF MAMMON! They don’t come here to serve the Lord, they come here because they know they can “GET MORE”!

Whose fault is this? It’s OUR OWN FAULT. Why? Because we’ve spent the better part of the past century waving our WEALTH in their faces with our movies, TV and our tourist dollars! We in the West have ABANDONED GOD, and NOW we’re paying the Piper! Jesus said you CANNOT serve BOTH God and Money… and the WORSHIPPERS of MONEY are now coming to America… and RUNNING IT!

The solution? The days of “Nation Building” and racial/cultural segregation are OVER. It had its day (and its purpose), but it’s OVER. Before the days of Joan d’Arc, the concept of “Nation” barely existed in the West. Now, the concept of “Nation” will soon be a thing of the past! The next step is THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Prayerfully reflect on this and realize that everything is happening for a reason. Whether they realize it or not, the immigrants are coming here to partake of the blessings of following the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, it is our humble duty to “take them to our leader”…yes, LEAD THEM CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.

The result? Blessings for ALL.

 

[Tim_c]

I never have liked that priest. :nope:
There are a handfull of those immigrants that are scincere but the rest just want to cause trouble. And then there are those who cause trouble because that’s what they were taught as children.

Are you serious??

 

[Ted_in_Charlott]

I am married to an immigrant. She came here legally March 2007 from the Philippines. It took us almost a full year from the time of application to get her here. She is a college graduate and speaks 5 languages. She comes from a family that the father paid for all 5 children to go to college and is helping with the grandchildren’s education. She is one of the lucky ones. But still she is discriminated against because she is not-white.

I have seen poverty and living conditions that are absolutely shameful that exist. Wages run about $3-4 a day. Drinking water is virtually non-existent. But these people still get to mass once a day. Many are sellers of candles in front of the Basillica that will pray for YOU.

The illegal immigrants are working in many difficult and hard jobs that most people will not do. Many are treated like slaves and it is shameful and we as people of God should not listen the political dribble of the “intitled” and drink their kool-aid. Fr. Groeschel is right. I will carry it further, if you have a problem with helping these poor people YOU are the one with problem.

Then they will answer Him, ‘Lord when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the King will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it unto me.’ Matthew 25: 37-40

 

[RachelsAlumni]

Jesus did tell us to love our neighbors, but he never told us to be a doormat.

Actually, in His discourse on loving our neighbor he tells us exactly that:

Luke 10
29 But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead.

31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. 32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 33 But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion. 34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee.

36 Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? 37 But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

and in His discourse on loving our enemies he said:

Matthew 5
38 You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: 40 And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.

41 And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two, 42 Give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. 43 You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: 45 That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.

 

[juliamajor]

Are you serious??

I’ve met Groeschel on several occasions- he is a wonderful, saintly man -without guile and says what he believes. He and his brothers work with the poor and indigent. What he had to say last night might sound unpleasant- or’ Anti -American". But what he said is true- go back to the not so distant past to Latin America and you will see exploitation that the US visited on LA for money and for the fruit companies and for anything else the could take,We were helping to maintain 'Manifest Destiny" on the backs of those who couldn’t fight back. The poverty there has to do not only with the internal corruption of those nations but in policies that help impoverish them. I was once an ultra conservative but after studying and reading the Gospels and the Prophets I have come to trust my Faith over my country. Immigration laws are not moral laws -they are protectionism.That was Father G. point - moral laws we have to and should obey-other laws we don’t. He made the point that in theology if you are starving you can steal a loaf of bread without sinning as the prophets stated God has a special love of the poor- any poor even those who cross borders. Most undocumented aliens don’t have nefarious reasons for coming.They work extremely hard pay., and those who work here take jobs that most Americans would consider below them. The states of California and Texas probably couldn’t exist without the aid of these underpaid poor. If you have any gripes it should be with corporations that not only exploit the alien but also the native worker.They are making huge profits off of me and you but we blame those who struggle to keep there head above water. Capitalism run rampant and untrammeled is the problem- unchecked the walk all over us -