Is Immigration a Pro-Life Issue?

Last updated on: January 28, 2017 at 12:18 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Is Immigration a Pro-Life Issue? 2017-01-28T12:18:53-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

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.

Women and children among Syrian refugees striking at the platform of Budapest Keleti railway station. Refugee crisis. Budapest, Hungary, Central Europe, 4 September 2015.

Syrian Refugees in Budapest

Catholics are excited this weekend at the success of the March for Life and the appearance on the platform of the Vice President and White House advisor Ms. Conway. It seems the political tide may be turning in a pro-life direction.

On the other hand, many Catholics are dismayed by President Trump’s stance on immigration and refugees.

It’s difficult for many to cut through the sensational headlines and biased media to see common sense.

One of the bottom line questions is whether immigration and the refugee crisis is a pro life issue. Some Catholics of a more “progressive” mentality would like to equate the two issues saying, “How can you call yourself pro life while you are neglecting the refugee and the immigrant? Isn’t it pro life to help the homeless, the suffering and the victims of war, poverty and violence?”

The answer is “Yes.” It is pro life to help refugees and immigrants, but it is not at the same level of moral justice and integrity as the abortion issue. The abortion issue is about life itself. Unless they are in actual danger of death, helping refugees and immigrants is about quality of life.

This is not to excuse a callous or uncaring approach to the refugee and immigration problem, but it is to put the two problems in perspective.

In fact this should not be an “either-or” proposition and supposing that anyone who is against abortion is a right wing refugee-hating, Islamophobe is untrue and unhelpful.

Saving the unborn and helping refugees and immigrants? We should do both.

When it comes to helping refugees and immigrants we should be both compassionate and clear headed. Our policies should be driven by the desire and duty to help those who are in need, while also recognizing that boundaries are necessary and vetting is necessary.

America is the richest and most powerful nation not only in the world today, but in all of human history. We should have the means, the method and the money to help immigrants and refugees, and to do so in ways that will benefit them in the long term.

Some of those solutions might be for them to settle in the United States, and if that is a win-win for us and them that solution should not be ruled out. However, looking at things in the long term, our resources might be better used to come up with peaceful solutions which help the potential refugees and immigrants in their own homeland and culture.

If we worked with the countries of Central and South America to improve economic, cultural and educational opportunities their people might not feel such a need to migrate North. If we worked to find safe havens for Muslims from war torn countries in other Islamic states, then they would be located in cultures that are closer to home and easier for them.

I am not an expert by any means, but it is worth asking–Do the wealthy and secure countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE etc. take large numbers of Muslim refugees? If not, why not?

Such policies are not racist or biased against any one religion. They are simply common sense. Such solutions would cost less, probably be more effective and help far more people far more quickly.

Should we be involved in helping refugees and immigrants? Absolutely, but we should do so in ways that are not only generous and compassionate, but also smart, effective and efficient.

Image Wikkimedia

Uncategorized

Previous Post

January 26, 2017

Two Marches, Two Madonnas, Two Americas

Next Post

January 28, 2017 Dutch Doctor Has Family Hold Down Grandma to be Euthanized

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 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 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz