US should thank illegal immigrants

[B_J 2,752]

The nation's 33 Hispanic Roman Catholic Bishops Monday will release a letter which says that undocumented immigrants deserve the 'thanks' of the United States, 1200 WOAI news has learned.

The Bishops have come out in support of comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants before, but the letter to be released Monday by San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, who, along with Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez are the highest ranking Mexican Americans in the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, uses stronger language and goes further in offering support to immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally than ever before.

"We are well aware of the great sacrifice you make for your families' well being," portions of the letter addressed directly to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and released to 1200 WOAI news on Sunday read. "Despite your contributions to the well-being of our country, instead of receiving our thanks, you are often treated as criminals because you have violated current immigration laws. "

The letter is being released on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the beloved patron said of Mexico and the Continental Americas. It is on December 12th that many immigrants to the U.S. from Latin America, who are overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, return to churches to reconnect with their heritage.

"This letter is pastoral in nature and is not about politics or programs, " Garcia-Siller said. "It is my desire to offer comfort, kindness, and compassion to all immigrants who are suffering, especially at this time of year."

"We acknowledge that, at times, actions taken in regard to immigrants have made you feel ignored or abandoned, especially when no objection is raised to the false impressions that are promoted within our society," the letter reads. "We (support) legislation that respects family unity and provides an orderly and reasonable process for unauthorized persons to attain citizenship. The new law should include a program for worker visas that respects the immigrants' human rights, provides for their basic needs, and ensures that they enter our country and work in a safe and orderly manner. We will also advocate on behalf of global economic justice, so that our brothers and sisters can find employment opportunities in their countries of origin that offer a living wage, and allow them to live with dignity."

Garcia-Siller said he also wants to "assure immigrants of the solidarity and support of the Hispanic Bishops in the United States, and pledge to continue the advocacy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for just reform of U.S. immigration policy."

He says the letter will express the Bishop’s ‘solidarity’ with the undocumented, and their ‘concern for their suffering.’

“In your suffering we see the face of Jesus Christ,” the letter says. "You reveal to us the supreme reality of life: we are all migrants. Your migration gives a strong and clear message that we are migrants on the way to eternal life."

http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=119078&article=9496297

Please note, all emoticons were added by me and are not a part of the actual letter, as far as I know.

[Danno 1,228]

Truth is, many of these same Bishops have destroyed the Catholic CHurch in America with their move towards non-Cathoilic teachings begining in the 60's

Catholics have naturally abandoned the Church in unbelievable numbers.

Now with Parishes folding they hope for a blood transfusion from the South.

Problem is, many Catholics who come here are are interested in Church quickly find a home in the many thriving Hispanic Evangelical Churches.

After all, why would someone go to a "Protestant-lite" church (most Catholic churches) ,,, when they can just go to the real-McCoy?

[bigdog 376]

Real immigration reform from the process, to how to fix those who are here is needed, maybe not through the church.

[kytwell 179]

Is the Catholic church or are these bishops even relevant any longer? Most people I know that were members have long left this faith after the pedophile abuse scandal and the fact that their support for illegals cost them enrollment of kids in the cities. At least where I am familiar with most kids enrolled in Catholic schools in the city were the children of cops, firefighters, union and non union skilled trade workers. Once the non union skilled trade workers start losing their jobs to illegals, they could no longer afford to send their kids to school there any longer. And the illegals aren't supporting these schools either, because they send their kids to public schools. Now churches and schools are closing/consolidating in the archdiocese here.