Respect for life includes welcoming migrants, Vatican officials say

[FK04US]

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Respect for life includes welcoming migrants, Vatican officials say**
catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0904885.htm

ATICAN CITY (CNS) – Catholics’ respect for human life and dignity must be clear in the way they welcome migrants and refugees, offer them pastoral care and lobby their governments for fairer treatment of people on the move, Vatican officials said.

Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, said globalization is not only an economic phenomenon. It also has an impact on the movement of people, and people must be the focus of Christian attention, he said.

“We know as Christians that life’s core is fundamentally spiritual and that the challenge is how to promote and safeguard every human person,” focusing particularly on the most vulnerable, including migrants who leave home in search of a better life and refugees forced to flee violence or oppression, the archbishop said Nov. 3.

The archbishop spoke at a Vatican press conference previewing the Sixth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, which his office is convoking Nov. 9-12 at the Vatican.

With globalization the church not only has had to reach out to welcome and assist people on the move, but also to try to address situations that force them to seek a new life away from their homeland as well as attitudes and policies that make it difficult or impossible for them to live with dignity in a new land, Archbishop Veglio said.

Christians are obliged to work with other people of good will to build “a civilization that is worthy of the human person, meaning a life model wherein each person can enjoy legitimate freedom and security; where suffering, discrimination and fear are eliminated to the greatest degree possible; (and) where respect for fundamental human rights – exercised with their corresponding duties – is guaranteed,” he said.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the council, said the congress would bring together more than 300 representatives of bishops’ conferences, Catholic aid agencies and religious orders to look at how to improve the way Catholics welcome and assist newcomers.

Citizens have a right to be concerned about the security of their homelands, but for Christians security “must always been seen together with welcome – that is the Catholic approach,” Archbishop Marchetto said.

The council secretary said the number of people living outside their homelands is huge: an estimated 200 million migrants in the world and an estimated 11 million refugees who have fled violence or persecution.

“If we said probably 30 percent are Catholic, we probably would not be far off,” Archbishop Marchetto said.

The archbishop said he spent three weeks in the United States recently lecturing at Catholic universities on the obligation to welcome and assist people on the move.

He said the reaction to his talks made clear that many people have “difficulty in accepting migrants, and this was on the part of good Catholics.”

I am sure that there will be some bashers not liking this … Are we bound to obey this? This is not infallible teaching, and so forth … Funny thing is that in the US some prolifers are the most anti-immigrant people I have met. We have a lot to learn, we are all in a journey.

God bless,

 

[Holly3278]

I fully agree with the pope and I do believe we are bound to obey this.

 

[St_Francis]

**
Respect for life includes welcoming migrants, Vatican officials say**
catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0904885.htm

I am sure that there will be some bashers not liking this … Are we bound to obey this? This is not infallible teaching, and so forth … Funny thing is that in the US some prolifers are the most anti-immigrant people I have met. We have a lot to learn, we are all in a journey.

God bless,

I have often written against illegal immigration, but have no problem with immigration itself, just that illegal immigration brings a host of problems. I also see people who advocate for illegal immigrants sometimes seem to ignore the very valid problems with illegal immigration.

I haven’t seen that many people writing against legal immigration, and some people have been badly affected by a sudden influx of a large number of immigrants (don’t know if they are legal or not) and the refusal of some to *acknowledge *these actual problems makes it very difficult to discuss these situations. It’s hard to look at both sides when your side looks extremely awful and no one seems to care.

 

[Freeway4321]

I have often written against illegal immigration, but have no problem with immigration itself, just that illegal immigration brings a host of problems. I also see people who advocate for illegal immigrants sometimes seem to ignore the very valid problems with illegal immigration.

I haven’t seen that many people writing against legal immigration, and some people have been badly affected by a sudden influx of a large number of immigrants (don’t know if they are legal or not) and the refusal of some to *acknowledge *these actual problems makes it very difficult to discuss these situations. It’s hard to look at both sides when your side looks extremely awful and no one seems to care.

Ok, so what’s wrong with it?

 

[FK04US]

I have often written against illegal immigration, but have no problem with immigration itself, just that illegal immigration brings a host of problems. I also see people who advocate for illegal immigrants sometimes seem to ignore the very valid problems with illegal immigration.

I haven’t seen that many people writing against legal immigration, and some people have been badly affected by a sudden influx of a large number of immigrants (don’t know if they are legal or not) and the refusal of some to *acknowledge *these actual problems makes it very difficult to discuss these situations. It’s hard to look at both sides when your side looks extremely awful and no one seems to care.

But that´s the problem! Where in the Vatican text does it say legal or illegal immigrant? It DOES NOT. Why? Because for Christians, it should not matter, they are ALL people created under God´s image and likeness. There are economical issues associated witn immigration, , however, our Church calls us to remain compassionate and find ways to respect the dignity of the immigrant community, no matter if they are “legal” or not.

Blessings,

 

[jfmarm81]

But that´s the problem! Where in the Vatican text does it say legal or illegal immigrant? It DOES NOT. Why? Because for Christians, it should not matter, they are ALL people created under God´s image and likeness. There are economical issues associated witn immigration, , however, our Church calls us to remain compassionate and find ways to respect the dignity of the immigrant community, no matter if they are “legal” or not.

Blessings,

It should matter whether the immigration is legal or not. There are laws for a reason. That kind of logic would correlate with us not caring how someone attains something…legally or illegally. I am all for legal immigration-my ancestors immigrated here legally. However, far too many are taking the easy way out and coming over illegally. I thought that as Catholics we are taught not to take the easy way out…

 

[d97c]

Lets say there is a legal immigrant who is similar to the illegal who sneaks in here… a guy who follows the law…is on the list…is waiting…does his welfare enter into this equation? He follows the law. He doesnt do an evil to attain a good. What does the Pope say about HIS life?
And the construction worker American who is laid off. What does the Pope say about the available job that the American could get but that the illegal takes for less money because he is in the “shadow.” Is that American’s family and job worth anything to the Pope? As long as there are Americans without jobs that illegals get, I say forget about any sympathy.

 

[MumboJumbo]

Lets say there is a legal immigrant who is similar to the illegal who sneaks in here… a guy who follows the law…is on the list…is waiting…does his welfare enter into this equation? He follows the law. He doesnt do an evil to attain a good. What does the Pope say about HIS life?
And the construction worker American who is laid off. What does the Pope say about the available job that the American could get but that the illegal takes for less money because he is in the “shadow.” Is that American’s family and job worth anything to the Pope? As long as there are Americans without jobs that illegals get, I say forget about any sympathy.

"If you take money out of your pocket to feed someone,
that is called charity.
*If you take money out of my pocket to feed someone, *
that is called theft!"
Angry American

 

[puzzleannie]

read Matthew 25 the judgement of the nations and then ask the question, do we have to believe this and act on it

above all when you see someone hungry, thirsty, incarcerated, homeless, sick, without access to legal counsel, forcibly separated from their family, by all means first check their green card before rendering any spiritual or corporal acts of mercy

 

[Nec5]

read Matthew 25 the judgement of the nations and then ask the question, do we have to believe this and act on it

above all when you see someone hungry, thirsty, incarcerated, homeless, sick, without access to legal counsel, forcibly separated from their family, by all means first check their green card before rendering any spiritual or corporal acts of mercy

Ah, then we should open wide the door to the good people of Africa whose only fault is not sharing a physical border with our nation. The prime act was the illegal entry into another’s country. Every misfortune from then on traces back to that act and the individual responsible for it.

 

[d97c]

I want to feel good too. I want to feed everyone in the world. I want every person to have a satisfying job. WHO is supposed to perform the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy on all the people who say they need it? Just feeling good doesnt get it. Who is going to do it? Who is going to pay for the free health care for illegals (they flood the emergency rooms and we HAVE to pay for them) . I can in my private life, but you people who want to open the borders of this nation to everyone, you in no way have thought out the results of your “feelings.” There is not enough tax payers to let everyone in here and take care of them. Listen to this: You people who want to take care of these illegals. When you allow an illegal alien to get something that a person who has followed the law cannot (even though he or she has played by the rules), you people set a precedent that says if someone is needy, that person can violate the law to get a job or health care, or a Social Security number and the church will okay it ! That is a scandal! You are allowing an evil to be done to reach WHAT YOU THINK is a greater good. That’s not Catholicism ! Under your theory, if I SAY I am hungry, sick, there are no rules, it’s just whatever the person says and wants. That’s it. No questions asked. I want that too. If I SAY I am not getting paid enought at work, I can take things from the job because I say I need it. I dont have to follow the rules. If I say I am ill but cant afford that home blood pressure machine, I can steal it from Walgreens. What do you mean I cant? The church says I can sneak into this nation and lie and take someones job or SS # and have a baby and get free health care even thought the law says I shouldnt ! I can take it because I need it and I cant get it!! Thats the Church today. There are no criteria, no rules, noone should follow the rules to get in here. Thats not Catholic and never will be !

 

[FK04US]

I want to feel good too. I want to feed everyone in the world. I want every person to have a satisfying job. WHO is supposed to perform the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy on all the people who say they need it? Just feeling good doesnt get it. Who is going to do it? Who is going to pay for the free health care for illegals (they flood the emergency rooms and we HAVE to pay for them) . I can in my private life, but you people who want to open the borders of this nation to everyone, you in no way have thought out the results of your “feelings.” There is not enough tax payers to let everyone in here and take care of them. Listen to this: You people who want to take care of these illegals. When you allow an illegal alien to get something that a person who has followed the law cannot (even though he or she has played by the rules), you people set a precedent that says if someone is needy, that person can violate the law to get a job or health care, or a Social Security number and the church will okay it ! That is a scandal! You are allowing an evil to be done to reach WHAT YOU THINK is a greater good. That’s not Catholicism ! Under your theory, if I SAY I am hungry, sick, there are no rules, it’s just whatever the person says and wants. That’s it. No questions asked. I want that too. If I SAY I am not getting paid enought at work, I can take things from the job because I say I need it. I dont have to follow the rules. If I say I am ill but cant afford that home blood pressure machine, I can steal it from Walgreens. What do you mean I cant? The church says I can sneak into this nation and lie and take someones job or SS # and have a baby and get free health care even thought the law says I shouldnt ! I can take it because I need it and I cant get it!! Thats the Church today. There are no criteria, no rules, noone should follow the rules to get in here. Thats not Catholic and never will be !

Because you say so? Fortunately we have the Pope and the Holy See to guide us in our faith journey.

 

[puzzleannie]

Ah, then we should open wide the door to the good people of Africa whose only fault is not sharing a physical border with our nation. The prime act was the illegal entry into another’s country. Every misfortune from then on traces back to that act and the individual responsible for it.

the act by which the ancestors of most Americans of African descent entered this country was legal at the time it was carried out, at least until about 1820 when the international slave trade was banned. So much for laws. If the laws are based in immorality and racism, they are neither lawful nor constitutional. I say what the bishops and most of congress and several past presidents have been saying for years, to get a just law that can be enforced and obeyed, begin from the beginning, scrap all the law of the past which grew up on a foundation of injustice, and start over with true immigration law reform.

 

[RWMorris]

… He said the reaction to his talks made clear that many people have “difficulty in accepting migrants, and this was on the part of good Catholics.”

Funny, as the Archbishop is lecturing US Catholics, I wonder if he realizes that the US is the most immigrant friendly nation in history, far more so than any “catholic” country has ever been?

I am sure that there will be some bashers not liking this … Are we bound to obey this? This is not infallible teaching, and so forth … Funny thing is that in the US some prolifers are the most anti-immigrant people I have met. We have a lot to learn, we are all in a journey.

God bless,

Those ‘prolife bashers’ you refer to are actually anti-illegal immigrant. And I hope you and the good archbishop realize that it is immoral to be pro-illegal immigrant. Illegal immigrants should be treated well, though, while they are being deported. If they are true political refugees, who will be ill treated if returned to their home country, then this is one ‘prolife basher’ who welcomes them with open arms.

 

[FK04US]

Funny, as the Archbishop is lecturing US Catholics, I wonder if he realizes that the US is the most immigrant friendly nation in history, far more so than any “catholic” country has ever been?

Those ‘prolife bashers’ you refer to are actually anti-illegal immigrant. And I hope you and the good archbishop realize that it is immoral to be pro-illegal immigrant. Illegal immigrants should be treated well, though, while they are being deported. If they are true political refugees, who will be ill treated if returned to their home country, then this is one ‘prolife basher’ who welcomes them with open arms.

There is a reason why the lay do not define Catholic teaching. Thanks be to God that He gave the keys to Peter and not the community of the faithful. Cafeteria Catholics do not to define Our True Faith. The Magisterium does!

 

[aspawloski4th]

There is a reason why the lay do not define Catholic teaching. Thanks be to God that He gave the keys to Peter and not the community of the faithful. Cafeteria Catholics do not to define Our True Faith. The Magisterium does!

And remember what they say can only be infallable if it comes from the Ope speaking Excathedra. To help the illgal immigrant do anything but go home is promoting lawlesness and nothing less.

 

[TedDC]

There is a reason why the lay do not define Catholic teaching. Thanks be to God that He gave the keys to Peter and not the community of the faithful. Cafeteria Catholics do not to define Our True Faith. The Magisterium does!

Absolutely - God would most certainly not want us to think for ourselves!

 

[aspawloski4th]

Absolutely - God would most certainly not want us to think for ourselves!

Thats right, then I wonder what the brain is for then? I get very bored and agitated when I can’t use it.

 

[RWMorris]

There is a reason why the lay do not define Catholic teaching. Thanks be to God that He gave the keys to Peter and not the community of the faithful. Cafeteria Catholics do not to define Our True Faith. The Magisterium does!

That is right, and the Magisterium has not said that illegal immigrants deserve anything more than being treat humanely while being returned to their homeland.

 

[ipwnuathalo]

Let’s not be mushy-headed here. It’s perfectly allowable for a nation, during normal times, to maintain a secure border and control immigration. During a crisis such as an invastion, we can be morally obliged to accept refugees…these are not “immigrants”.