Bishops renew call for comprehensive immigration reform

Last updated on: November 14, 2012 at 11:03 pm by CNA Daily News

Bishops renew call for comprehensive immigration reform 2012-11-14T23:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The U.S. bishops are reiterating their appeal to President Obama and the newly elected members of Congress to enact just and humane immigration reform within the coming year.

“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.

“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.

Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”

“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”

Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.

In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”

“It’s an absolute need,” he said.

Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.

The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.

He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”

Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.

He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”

“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”

Previous Post

November 14, 2012

Vatican congregation to emphasize liturgical music, art

Next Post

November 14, 2012 Divorced should be embraced with kindness, priest underscores

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did God provide for meat for Israel in the desert?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fish Quail Goat Beef