Bulletins
July 1, 2018
Download the Bulletin as a PDFThe issue of immigration finds Catholics and independent thinkers caught in a quagmire with traditional political forces framing the argument in which one side seems to want open borders and other desires a steady stream of cheap labor. Perhaps I am wrong in that observation but the teaching of the Church is clear enough to delineate boundaries for reasonable discussion.
With the same balance that we read in Chapter 13 of St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans wherein the Apostle admonishes the Church in capital of the empire to obey the government, obey the commandments and love their neighbor, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
CCC 2241 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.
Beyond this teaching, we have questions and opinions.
Have you had to deal with trespassers on your property? How did you handle it? Have you found a way to tell people charitably that they are not welcome? How do treat people when they come to your door begging for money? Do you find a way to help them even if you are not going to give them what they want? Have you had to intervene when someone enters your home with bad intent? Have you had to care for a child who was kidnapped from mom and dad? As a priest I have faced all these situations. None of them are easy.
How should the government act when foreigners want to contribute to our society? when refugees seek shelter? when the downtrodden want jobs and government services? when criminals want to take advantage of our benevolence? when parents commit crimes in the company of their children? None of these are easy questions, especially when political and business interests cloud good judgment.
Our Lady, Empress of the Americas, pray for us!
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
