Thin-Skinned Immigration Extremists and the Pope

Pope Benedict spoke about a lot of things during his recent US visit, among them immigration. What he said might have some indirect application to the debate over how to handle illegal immigration, but his focus was on immigration as such--surely a theme that is as American as any theme. Apparently, though, that has some folks upset, as this Wall Street Journal editorial makes clear: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120882183951433033.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks.

Comments

[Augustine II]

Michelle Malkin has also gone off the deep end on this. She's lost a lot of my respect.

[Subvet]

So what did they expect the Pontiff to say, "Shoot 'em as they cross the border and hang the bodies high as a warning?" For crying out loud, he's the Pope and not some ward heeler from a red state.

And like Augustine II, I've also lost respect for Malkin over this.

[Carl Olson]

I think Mark's observation is a key one: the Pope was, from all evidence, referring to immigration—that is, normal, legal immigration, the sort that Americans should indeed welcome. Obviously the Holy Father believes that all people, including illegal aliens, should be treated with justice and respect. But for these folks to rip his comments out of context and ascribe to him a view—one advocating illegal behavior—is hysterical disingenuousness. Pathetic.

[Ed Peters]

Okay, decent enough points. One question, if I may: does the pope go anywhere else and tell folks to "be open to immigrants"? I ask sincerely. Citations appreciated.

[Carl Olson]

• Here is Benedict's 2007 address from the Vatican on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

• Benedict touches on immigration in this 2007 address to the ambassador of Puerto Rico.

• There is this from a 2006 address by Benedict to the ambassador of Belgium:

Today, the acceptance of ever more numerous immigrants and the multiplication in the same land of communities with different cultural or religious backgrounds makes intercultural and interreligious dialogue absolutely indispensable in our societies, as I recalled during my recent Journey to Bavaria and as you yourself have emphasized.

It would be right to deepen mutual knowledge, respecting the religious beliefs of each person and the legitimate requirements of social life in conformity with the laws in force, and to welcome immigrants in such a way that their dignity is always respected.

To do this, it is important to implement an immigration policy that can reconcile the interests of the host country with the necessary development of the less-privileged countries. This policy should also be supported by a desire for integration which leaves no room for the development of situations of rejection or no-rights, such as revealed by the drama of those without documents.

• And from a recent (Dec. 2007) address to the bishops of Japan:

The Lord’s harvest in Japan is increasingly made up of people of diverse nationalities, to the extent that over half of the Catholic population is formed of immigrants. This provides an opportunity to enrich the life of the Church in your country and to experience the true catholicity of God’s people. By taking steps to ensure that all are made to feel welcome in the Church, you can draw on the many gifts that the immigrants bring.

• From a 2006 address to the ambassador from Cape Verde:

Moreover, the many difficulties that the African Continent is experiencing contribute to accentuating the expansion of the migration phenomenon and the serious issues that stem from it. As you have emphasized, Mr Ambassador, the search for a better standard of living has impelled a large number of Cape Verdeans to emigrate.

It is of course the task of host countries to give immigrants a fraternal welcome and to draft legislation that paves the way to their dignified integration in society, while respecting their legitimate identity.

• Similar remarks by Benedict in 2005 to the ambassador from Denmark.

• Benedict discussed immigration with the bishops of Mexico in 2005, the ambassador of Bulgaria in 2006, and the bishops of Greece in 2006.

• Back in 1987, John Paul II had this to say to members of the USCCB:

Closely aligned with the Church’s evangelization is her action on behalf of peace and justice, and this too is deeply influenced by her pastoral concern for particular peoples, especially for refugees, immigrants and the poor. For over two hundred years, the Church has welcomed the waves of new immigrants to the shores of your country. It was the love and compassion of the Church that so many new arrivals first felt when they stepped onto the soil of this young nation. While that continuous pastoral care of the immigrant was focused primarily on the east coast in the early decades, that pastoral outreach now extends to virtually every major city in the country. Los Angeles - where this evening we celebrate the diversity of peoples who make up your country - has now become the new major point of entry for the latest waves of immigrants.

I commend you, my brother bishops and all of those working closely with you, for your active collaboration in helping several million undocumented immigrants to become legal residents. This pastoral care of the immigrant in our own day reflects the love of Christ in the Gospels and the legitimate work of the Church in carrying on the challenge of the Lord, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matth. 25, 35).

All of this, it appears to me, is in keeping with what the Catechism of the Catholic Church states about immigrants:

The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens. (par 2241)

 

[Ed Peters]

Thx Carl. The go-to guy here. Thx.

[Mark Brumley]

Even if the pope didn't go around speaking about immigration in lots of other places, it makes sense that he would speak about it here, in America, a land that prides itself on being a nation of immigrants and a nation whose Catholic population is largely the result of immigration.

[Mark Brumley]

BTW, CCCC 2241, cited above, summarizes a number of key points on the matter of immigration.

This is a subject that is difficult to have calm, reasonable discussion concerning in some circles today. On the one hand, we have some Catholics who will deny a right to immigrate or any obligation whatsoever for wealthier nations to consider the situation of immigrants. On the other, you have Catholics who act as if the regulation of immigration were apriori contrary to justice and as if the question of the legal status of immigrants is utterly irrelevant.

Unfortunately, the question of immigration policy is complex. That may be why the Pope preferred to speak publicly in general terms, rather than to immerse himself in a speech in the details of the discussion.

[ann]

I have been involved in this issue for years and find that much of what is said by the Popes and the Church is oriented toward legal immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Also much is directed toward the Church's pastoral duties toward the immigrants.

Very little is said about illegal immigration. JPII's address on Migration in 96 is an exception.

Certain teachings have to be kept in mind when trying to form a just and charitable position on illegal immigration. First, is that nations have a right to control their borders. The best solution is to fix the sending countries. Currently the numbers of immigrants are overwhelming the labor needs. Immigrants have a duty to respect the laws of the host countries. Families should not be divided.

Of course the best way to keep families unified is to keep them in their own cultures. That tends to conserve the extended family. That concurs with the Church's teaching that fixing the sending countries is the best long term solution.

Other practical considerations come into play. One is that too many of any peoples coming too fast to any culture is disruptive and produces cultural and economic instability.
Further, illegal immigrants are teaching their children and others that breaking laws by illegally entering and stealing identities and taking social services to which they haven't contributed and doing so simplt for economic betterment, not starvation or persecution, is acceptable.