U.S. Bishops Call for Prayers, Pledge to Work for Comprehensive Immigration Bill

[maciejk60]

Is it a moral obligation for a practicing Roman Catholic to support the Immigration bill?

I am a 61 year old male Traditional Roman Catholic living in Southern California. I am married with 5 grown children and 7 grandchildren. By some standards I am well off, worth over $1 million dollars, but isn’t everyone in Southern California? I say this not to brag, I am serious about this question!

This past weekend two local Bishops held a meeting for immigrants here in Orange County, CA helping them understand their rights, even thought they are illegal’s and are basically felons!

A summation of the meeting was reported in the local paper, Orange County Register on Saturday, 06/02/07. In the article one Bishop was quoted as saying the ‘haves are morally obligated to support or share with the have-nots!”

A second theme that seems to be continually brought up is, “it is morally objectionable to separate the families”

While I try to be a “good” practicing Catholic, I have a hard time with this issue and what has been suggested.

First of all, I have first hand experienced reverse discrimination myself. That is, being a White or Caucasian, I was not afforded the same consideration or privileges when registering my grandson at the local Elementary school. I had to prove residency. When I asked how to all the illegal’s get their kids in this school. They said, “we do not ask them for proof, because we know they are illegal!!!" WHAT!!!

The second point about the “It is immoral to separate the families”. The solution seems obvious to me. Repeal the Civil Right Act of 1866 or simply send the kids back with their parents! Let them return when they are of legal age or simply repleal their citizenship and let them apply like everyone else. Keep in mind their Parents were here illegally when the kids were born and being here illegally, in my opinion, should be a stipulation of the law.

I would love to hear comments on this. Because truly I struggle with this and would love to do the right thing.

 

[LJN21]

Is it a moral obligation for a practicing Roman Catholic to support the Immigration bill?

I am a 61 year old male Traditional Roman Catholic living in Southern California. I am married with 5 grown children and 7 grandchildren. By some standards I am well off, worth over $1 million dollars, but isn’t everyone in Southern California? I say this not to brag, I am serious about this question!

This past weekend two local Bishops held a meeting for immigrants here in Orange County, CA helping them understand their rights, even thought they are illegal’s and are basically felons!

A summation of the meeting was reported in the local paper, Orange County Register on Saturday, 06/02/07. In the article one Bishop was quoted as saying the ‘haves are morally obligated to support or share with the have-nots!”

A second theme that seems to be continually brought up is, “it is morally objectionable to separate the families”

While I try to be a “good” practicing Catholic, I have a hard time with this issue and what has been suggested.

First of all, I have first hand experienced reverse discrimination myself. That is, being a White or Caucasian, I was not afforded the same consideration or privileges when registering my grandson at the local Elementary school. I had to prove residency. When I asked how to all the illegal’s get their kids in this school. They said, “we do not ask them for proof, because we know they are illegal!!!" WHAT!!!

The second point about the “It is immoral to separate the families”. The solution seems obvious to me. Repeal the Civil Right Act of 1866 or simply send the kids back with their parents! Let them return when they are of legal age or simply repleal their citizenship and let them apply like everyone else. Keep in mind their Parents were here illegally when the kids were born and being here illegally, in my opinion, should be a stipulation of the law.

I would love to hear comments on this. Because truly I struggle with this and would love to do the right thing.

Well some people are going to tell you you do BUT …

Bishops are not infallible You have a moral obligation to listen to what they say and if it is in line with the rest of Church teaching follow it. If the US bishops said abortion is now a justifiable law in the US would you be morally obliged to follow it?

The Church has always taught countries have a God given authority I believe this holds true to immigrations. Our Bishops here seem to think that our laws regarding immigration are immoral that is why they ignore them. Yet we have obvously immoral laws in this country and the Bishops don’t make near the fuss over them as they do this issue. They decry families being torn apart by our immigration laws but ignore the politicians that are protecting mothers murder there own children.

 

[mary_bobo]

PART I
Cheap Tomatoes
This should make everyone think, be you Democrat, Republican or Independent
From a California school teacher - - -"As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:
I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.
Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, etc., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.
Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program. When I say free breakfast, I’m not talking a glass of milk and roll – but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)
I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at leastmoderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The school also provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange
for babysitters or having family watch their kids. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)
I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)
I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in the country less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the female teacher, calling them “Putas” whores and throwing things that the teachers were in tears.
Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc., etc. Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements?
To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal
immigration and see the TRUE costs.Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc, etc. For me, I’ll pay more for tomatoes.

We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won’t have the guts to enforce it.
Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?

                                        :eek:

Very interesting post. I have heard some of these same complaints from friends and family who live in California. To think that all of this is not taxing the economy of the state is a mindless opinion that has no basis in fact. For me, we grow some of the finest tomatoes in the country where I live and I happily will buy them. California tomatoes have no taste.

 

[Godi]

I agree with Kelli!

I have family that works in construction and its hard for an American Citizens that want these jobs to feed there family’s to be able to compete with under paid illegal crews that can frame a house in a matter of days. It is slavery, no question about it.

My brother was hit by an illegal that ran a red light. No insurance (in a mandatory insurance state) he did have uninsured but it still got $500 out of pocket for him and when on his insurance. They threatened to send the bill to the dioceses, I still think they should have.

I live in the South, all you see are Criminal Immigrants working in the housing industry. It seems to be more noticable in the larger National Home Builder corporations. What’s frustrating is when you report Illegals to immigration they will only act on “large numbers”. Down here it is a pretty common occurance to have Criminal Immigrants driving without a license. Finally on Bishops, remember they are not infallable. Some only use issues like this to pump up their posture. They refuse to take on the serious matters of faith & living. Many have chosen the City of Man over the City of God.

 

[Godi]

I agree with Kelli!

I have family that works in construction and its hard for an American Citizens that want these jobs to feed there family’s to be able to compete with under paid illegal crews that can frame a house in a matter of days. It is slavery, no question about it.

My brother was hit by an illegal that ran a red light. No insurance (in a mandatory insurance state) he did have uninsured but it still got $500 out of pocket for him and when on his insurance. They threatened to send the bill to the dioceses, I still think they should have.

I live in the South, all you see are Criminal Immigrants working in the housing industry. It seems to be more noticable in the larger National Home Builder corporations. What’s frustrating is when you report Illegals to immigration they will only act on “large numbers”. Down here it is a pretty common occurance to have Criminal Immigrants driving without a license. Finally on Bishops, remember they are not infallable. Some only use issues like this to pump up their posture. They refuse to take on the serious matters of faith & living. Many have chosen the City of Man over the City of God.

 

[maciejk60]

I don’t understand what you are saying. Do you believe the Bishops only care about cheap labor for their own janitorial and grounds keeping?

It is obvious that comprehensive reform is needed for the country, and I certainly think it is consistent for our Bishops to be concerned about the plight of parishioners. I don’t agree with all of their statements on immigration, but it seems kind of crass to think they are calling on us to pray for selfish, financial reasons.

Regarding the Bishop’s motivation, how does one really know what another is thinking? BUT, I posted on this blog about an article that appeared in the Orange County Register this past Sunday. In that article the mentioned that there were approximately 1.1 million Catholics in Orange County California. Approximately 58% Hispanic, 10% Asian and the rest 32% Caucasian. You tell me to whom or what audience they are playing to?

 

[Beantown]

Wheres the Bishops website to stop abortion?

It might just be with the Bishops website on the priest sex scandal.

 

[Beantown]

Regarding the Bishop’s motivation, how does one really know what another is thinking? BUT, I posted on this blog about an article that appeared in the Orange County Register this past Sunday. In that article the mentioned that there were approximately 1.1 million Catholics in Orange County California. Approximately 58% Hispanic, 10% Asian and the rest 32% Caucasian. You tell me to whom or what audience they are playing to?

I would like to have one of the many U.S. Bishops to comment on this website:

truthorfiction.com/rumors/m/montebello-flag.htm

 

[Minnesota_Mary]

My gut feeling about the USCCB is that it is run by a bunch of Marxist Liberation agitators at worst and Socialists at best. Of course Socialism is really Communism in drag.

I am amazed at how outspoken the bishops and cardinals are in challenging this nation’s immigration laws, and yet we never saw this kind of excited fervor over abortion.

Our nation has killed over 45 million babies in the womb and contracepted from existence millions more. Now we are allowing 45 million people from third world countries to come in and inherit what would have been the inheritance of our aborted children. As Pat Buchanan said, “God is not mocked.”

Our immigration crisis is the direct result of our abortion culture. It is alarming that our bishops were largely silent on abortion but are now so vocal on wanting to give amnesty, benefits, welfare etc. to all the illegal aliens who will continue to pour across our borders.

If you want more of something you subsidize it. If you want less of something you tax it. Our middle class is going to be taxed into poverty. So what we will have is a redistribution of the wealth that will leave us as a third world country. We will have the very rich and everyone else poor—like in Mexico. I just don’t believe the bishops are so dumb as to not realize this.

Minnesota Mary

 

[rlg94086]

So, now the Bishops are “playing to an audience?” They aren’t taking a principled position? Agree or disagree with the Bishops, but attributing such motives is without merit.

Regarding the Bishop’s motivation, how does one really know what another is thinking? BUT, I posted on this blog about an article that appeared in the Orange County Register this past Sunday. In that article the mentioned that there were approximately 1.1 million Catholics in Orange County California. Approximately 58% Hispanic, 10% Asian and the rest 32% Caucasian. You tell me to whom or what audience they are playing to?

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

So what we will have is a redistribution of the wealth that will leave us as a third world country. We will have the very rich and everyone else poor—like in Mexico. I just don’t believe the bishops are so dumb as to not realize this.

great insight. what scares me the most is that the liberal left have an agenda to bring in uneducated masses to manipulate. they will use these people to gain more power by pitting the haves vs. the have nots. effectively creating a rich ruling class and undermining the middle class.

this is a perfect way for a totalitarian regime to attain power. bush is doing this because he wants a north american nation that will work as a single economy crossing mexican and canadian boarders.

here is a good website on immigration.

 

[mary_bobo]

great insight. what scares me the most is that the liberal left have an agenda to bring in uneducated masses to manipulate. they will use these people to gain more power by pitting the haves vs. the have nots. effectively creating a rich ruling class and undermining the middle class.

this is a perfect way for a totalitarian regime to attain power. bush is doing this because he wants a north american nation that will work as a single economy crossing mexican and canadian boarders.

here is a good website on immigration.

Might I proffer that the president really believes this is the right thing to do. I think he is short-sighted, or else Karl Rove has lost his mind.

 

[Minnesota_Mary]

great insight. what scares me the most is that the liberal left have an agenda to bring in uneducated masses to manipulate. they will use these people to gain more power by pitting the haves vs. the have nots. effectively creating a rich ruling class and undermining the middle class.

this is a perfect way for a totalitarian regime to attain power. bush is doing this because he wants a north american nation that will work as a single economy crossing mexican and canadian boarders.

here is a good website on immigration.

Yes, Bush wants a North American Union with a single currency (Amero) like the European Union and the Euro currency. He wants a super highway built going all the way from Mexico up through the U.S. to Canada. Of course open borders is all part of it. Phyllis Schlafly has some good information on this. I think you can get it on her Eagle Forum website. Of course Bush is laying the plans for the powers that be. That is why he got elected twice.

It is sad what is happening to our country. I keep wondering if I should try to escape to New Zealand before it is too late. MM

 

[kellicouch77]

Okay, I had to jump in here on that last post about the Amero… I hope you all are wearing your tin foil hats just in case Karl Rove has installed Haliburton manufactured mind readers in your television sets…

Jerome Corsi has been pushing this conspiracy theory since at least 2006. Many conservatives have attempted to dispel this as merely a nut job conspiracy, however it gains life periodically. Michael Medved (a conservative talk show host) let him have it over this,and challenged Corsi to provide proof for it’s existence. Afterall, it is said to be a huge plan, involving Canada and Mexico, yet no one can p(name removed by moderator)oint anyone within the Bush administration who is behind it, or even close to implementing it. I am not saying that it isn’t plausible- wait, yes, I am. It isn’t possible. Tony Snow also said that this is not happening, and that there are no plans for a EU type organization in the US.

On a side note, I urge all of you to please contact your senators. Tell them to oppose this immigration bill, and remind them to do the will of the people. Importing such a large uneducated voting block will destroy our Nation as we know it. Also, if you do contact your senator, please be polite. No name calling. Don’t call any of them sissies or wimps. They don’t like that, and some might cry. I don’t want to be held responsible if Ted Kennedy starts crying on the Senate floor.

 

[LJN21]

I’m not sure how much I buy of the Mexameracanada thing. I definitely think they want us to have open borders and the super highway is kinda in the works. I don’t know maybe I’m just in denial.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

There is a desire of Mexicans in Southwest, to become a part of Mexico. Their belief is that America stole the southwest from Mexico and they want reunification with Mexico. Others, knowing how life was in Mexico, prefer an independent nation in the Southwest US.

Jim

 

[Minnesota_Mary]

They did it to Europe. What makes it so implausible that it couldn’t happen on this continent. I think Phyllis Schlafly is a pretty astute woman. She has all the credibility that Bush & Company don’t have.

I can remember when we Conservatives were lampooned back in the 70’s and 80’s when we fought values clarification and secular humanism. We warned that the Gay Rights movement would want to be entitled to marriage and all the benefits. We were laughed at. Well, it is happening and more today, so I for one am going to pay heed to the prophets who are warning us about what is in store for this country.

I suggest everyone read Pat Buchanan’s books, “Death of the West” and “State of Emergency.” He’s another prophet of our time who has been proven right.

 

[kellicouch77]

Pat Buchannon is a paleo-con. He is an intelligent passion man who believes firmly in the issues he supports., as well. He supports isolationism, and this idea just isn’t very successful given the times we live in.

Buchannon, however, is a polarizing character in America. He once stated that America should not have entered into World War II, and he was promptly labelled as a “Nazi Apologist”. Whether or not he really is anti-semitic, I suppose is for you to decide. I think he isn’t, rather he is a isolationist, and quite consistent on this point. To use Buchannon as a source for this topic is a bit risky. He has been largely discredited my many on the Right, and he has been labelled as a “kook” by some prominent conservatives.

For a great book on illegal immigration, I recommend Michelle Malkin’s Invasion. It is a great read, and highly informative.

There are those in the American Southwest who would like to return this part of our nation to Mexico. This movement is referred to as reconquista and it has been ongoing for many years. The invasion began several years ago, and the illegals continue to flood across the southern border. According to a poll on Right Wing News (www.rightwingnews.com)), from April 20, 2006, 58 percent of Mexicans believe that the southwestern United States actually belongs to Mexico, and was stolen. (rightwingnews.com/archives/week_2006_04_16.PHP#005582)). Yet, we allow open access to our southern border, and if the illegal immigration rallies are any indication, the invasion is in full swing.

 

[rlg94086]

Okay, I had to jump in here on that last post about the Amero… I hope you all are wearing your tin foil hats just in case Karl Rove has installed Haliburton manufactured mind readers in your television sets…

kellicouch77:

Jerome Corsi has been pushing this conspiracy theory since at least 2006. Many conservatives have attempted to dispel this as merely a nut job conspiracy, however it gains life periodically. Michael Medved (a conservative talk show host) let him have it over this,and challenged Corsi to provide proof for it’s existence. Afterall, it is said to be a huge plan, involving Canada and Mexico, yet no one can p(name removed by moderator)oint anyone within the Bush administration who is behind it, or even close to implementing it. I am not saying that it isn’t plausible- wait, yes, I am. It isn’t possible. Tony Snow also said that this is not happening, and that there are no plans for a EU type organization in the US.

I was going to respond similarly to the earlier post, but you have said it all. Of course, all things are possible with the Illuminati pulling the strings. I’m assuming that’s who Minnesota Mary meant by the “powers that be.”

 

[Minnesota_Mary]

Well I’m a paleo-conservative too! Pat Buchanan may be a polarizing force, but so were the men who founded this nation! Buchanan is the brightest and the best patriot we have in this country with the exception of Ron Paul.

As for Buchanan’s remarks on Word War II, I would remind you that we sent our boys over to Europe to fight Hitler because France and England were threatened. And then at the end of the war we butchered those eastern block nations of Europe and delivered them to an even worse despot–Stalin. How many American lives were destroyed for a cause that was at best a wash? How many Poles, Hungarians, Slavs etc. had their lives ruined because we sold them into Communism at Yalta?

George Washington warned our nation to not get into entangling alliances abroad. We should not make the enemies of other nations our enemies. We should stay in our own hemisphere and mind our own business. That was good advice then and it is even better advice today. Look what our misadventure into Iraq has brought us–3,500 dead soldiers, thousands more maimed and crippled, and the enmity of the world. We went into Iraq for one reason only and that was to remake the middle east more to Israel’s liking. The driving forces behind our foreign policy in the middle east are Zionism and premillenial dispensationalism. And now it appears that Bush & Company aren’t satisfied enough with the disaster we are in. They are preparing to take on Iran now.

Meanwhile the U.S. is being invaded by Mexico and Latin America. Go figure!!!

Wake up and smell the coffee! MN Mary