Thread: Bishops take on immigrant policies

Published Monday February 16, 2009
Bishops take on immigrant policies
BY CINDY GONZALEZ
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER



Sergio Sosa was tending to church business last week when the frantic parishioner called. Immigration agents had arrested her husband.




Archbishop Elden CurtissSosa, an outreach worker at Our Lady of Guadalupe in south Omaha, contacted an attorney who agreed to talk to the woman. He offered the address of an emergency pantry. He made sure the kids had rides to school. He promised to check on the family later.

It's a scene repeated so often that Sosa and others who work in immigrant-populated churches have come to expect that they will spend chunks of their weeks guiding Catholic families through immigration problems.

With that in mind, Nebraska's three bishops have called on the state's 363,000 Catholics to pray for a path that legalizes foreigners. In a rare joint statement distributed this week in Spanish and English to churches and Catholic schools across the state, the prelates said the effects of immigration policy have "stressed pastoral services."

The statement by Archbishop Elden Curtiss of Omaha, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln and Bishop William Dendinger of Grand Island also discourages the Nebraska Legislature and local governing bodies from crafting their own immigration laws. The bishops fear that could lead to "profiling or other forms of intimidation."

They call the idea of a city ordinance outlawing housing for illegal immigrants (such as one considered by Fremont, Neb.) "fundamentally unjust, vindictive and harmful."

The bishops said they do, however, favor legislative efforts "to halt the wrongful conduct of unscrupulous employers."

The three issued the statement in response to events happening locally and nationally. Those events include divisive debate over illegal immigration proposals in the Nebraska Legislature and in Fremont and the raid that netted about 260 undocumented packing plant workers in Grand Island two weeks before Christmas 2006.

State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, a Catholic, said he has no problem with the bishops weighing in on the immigration discussion.

However, he disagrees that local government bodies should step aside.

While on the Fremont City Council, Janssen voted in favor of unsuccessful ordinances aimed at halting illegal immigration. While campaigning for the Legislature, he vowed to be tough on illegal immigration.

"Unfortunately, the federal government has put local and state governments in a defensive posture over the whole issue," Janssen said.

Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln, also a Catholic, said he appreciates the bishops' input but said he was acting as a "steward of taxpayer dollars" when he sponsored legislation targeting illegal immigration.

He said he speaks also as the son of a Philippine immigrant whose relatives are unable to enter the U.S.

"My family is overseas unable to come here," Fulton said. "When others break the laws, that is an injustice - a scandal - to people who respect our rule of law."

In the bishops' statement, they acknowledge "legitimate" concerns about border security. They said it is not "un-Christian" for Catholics to consider that the top priority.

"While immigration is predominantly a civil-law jurisdiction, it is a social and legal reality that illegal immigration is often connected to criminal activity, including identity theft and other forms of false representation, trafficking in drugs and human servitude and intentional violations of other laws and ordinances governing rights and privileges," the statement said.

But, the bishops said, opponents of illegal immigration should engage in "respectful political advocacy" to reform the nation's laws.

Before they prepared the statement, the bishops gathered input with the assistance of the Nebraska Catholic Conference from more than 100 Catholics who attended sessions in eight cities since 2007. Another 100 submitted written comments.

The responses collected represented the spectrum of viewpoints. Some supported the rule of law, quick deportation and a punishment approach. Others favored amnesty and providing all immigrants with the same benefits as U.S. citizens.

Most Catholics who responded fell somewhere in the middle.

The bishops' statement does not include an action plan. James Cunningham, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said the bishops wanted to lay out the basic principles of Catholic teaching related to immigration. The statement's title, "Immigration: A Call to be Patient, Hospitable and Active for Reform."

Sosa, who works with the largest population of immigrants in the Omaha Archdiocese, wants to see fellow Catholics do more than reflect. He hopes to assemble a task force and possibly launch a campaign to pressure state senators and federal officials.

"Let's talk about the next organizing step," said Sosa. "We need to be more proactive."

The Rev. Carl Zoucha, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and its sister parish, St. Agnes, hopes other worrisome byproducts of illegal immigration would be alleviated with a path to legalization. For example, he deals with families whose absentee fathers aren't held accountable for child support because they work under false names.

Not to be overlooked, the bishops said, are ways immigrants have enriched the church.

In south Omaha, for example, immigrants - legal and illegal - have revived parishes. Last year, Zoucha said, Guadalupe and St. Agnes baptized 500 babies. "Some of the rural parishes don't even have five baptisms a year," he said.

Nearby ethnic churches once filled with Irish and Polish families bustle again with Latino newcomers.

"So even in the midst of struggle," Zoucha said, "as a pastor I consider immigration a blessing."


• Contact the writer: 444-1224, cindy.gonzalez@owh.com



Contact the Omaha World-Herald newsroom

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10565212

In south Omaha, for example, immigrants - legal and illegal - have revived parishes. Last year, Zoucha said, Guadalupe and St. Agnes baptized 500 babies. "Some of the rural parishes don't even have five baptisms a year," he said.

That's what it's all about - ENRICHING- the church, at the expense of taxpayers. Well the church can darn well feed, clothe and educate them, if that's how they feel. As for me? I want enforcement and more deportations!

Churches should be held accountable to the LAW! Aiding and abetting comes to mind but even worse is the fact they seem to be ENCOURAGING violation of the LAW!

Why do religious institutions like the Catholic Church defy our immigration laws? Why do they blatantly flaunt our laws by enabling millions upon millions of illegal aliens to enter, live and work in America? Do they do so in order to 'feel good' about what they see as their 'Christian duty?' Why do pious people of the Catholic faith believe it's justifiable for them to ignore our laws, created to protect and defend our country and its populace? Do they feel that they are above the law? By their example, does their defiance of our immigration laws mean it is acceptable for the rest of us to disobey other laws, as we choose?

Apparently the Catholic Church does believe its above the law because they, and many of their misguided parishioners, are collectively the largest and most flagrant illegal alien enablers in this country. They are citizens of the United States who, in direct violation of our federal immigration laws, 'aid and abet' illegal aliens to enter, live and work here in America! Everything they do in the name of their 'Christian beliefs' is done in defiance of our immigration laws and without any concern for the harm they are causing the rest of us hard-working, honest, law-abiding, mostly Christian Americans.

At the behest of the church hierarchy, many Catholics have been, or are being urged to become, the proverbial 'fifth column' facilitating Mexico's de facto war. A publicly announced war of invasion and colonization by millions of illegal alien 'migrants.' By definition, the church's facilitation of the Mexican invasion makes all who participate, traitors! They are guilty of treason because they betray their country and countrymen in order to promote an agenda of 'aiding and abetting' illegal aliens. In direct contravention of our laws the church willfully, arrogantly and defiantly pursues multiple programs in support of the 'migrant' invasion by Mexico and other Latin American countries.

It is particularly egregious for the Catholic Church and Charities to ignore our immigration laws under the guise of "Justice for Immigrants" and "Journey to Justice" when it results in such damaging negative effects to the 'quality of life' for the rest of us Americans. What a shameful example they provide for us and our children. Any sanctimonious justifications they might give for their promotion of illegal behavior by their flock, is unacceptable! What they do fosters anarchy and chaos, which impacts ALL Americans.

Apparently Catholics and the other religious organizations who join them, believe they are 'special' people,' when in fact they are criminals who are shamefully and erroneously justifying their behavior by sacrilegiously cloaking themselves in the mantle of Christianity while using [twisting] biblical scripture and mantras to further their goals.

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Sadly, American Churches Are Helping Mexico Win the War:

What is truly outrageous about the Mexican 'stealth war ' is that many churches and their 'leaders' in America have become the proverbial 'fifth column' for Mexico's reconquista war, by 'aiding and abetting' the Hispanic tidal wave. By functioning as a 'fifth column' they are "a group of people who act traitorously and subversively, out of a secret [or not so secret] sympathy, for the enemy of their country."(42) Our American churches are hard at work 'aiding and abetting' the overwhelming Hispanic illegal alien invasion that has trampled our laws and sovereignty, balkanized our neighborhoods, and insidiously and deviously corrupts and degrades our unifying English language, American culture, and society.

What is 'Aiding and Abetting?' To actively, knowingly, or intentionally assist another person [such as an illegal alien] in the commission or attempted commission of a crime.(43) For example 'aiding a abetting' illegal aliens to enter, reside and work in America, involves three separate felonies. Or, for the clergy to ask or engage their 'flock' or other sympathizers to join together in church sanctioned projects or events to criminally 'aid and abet' illegal aliens, is inviting them to participate in a conspiracy, which is an additional felony.

Those churches and religious followers who 'aid and abet' illegal aliens here in America are legion. This article reveals only one thin slice of the 'aid and abet' pie. This research reveals that churches of many denominations have deliberately violated multiple federal immigration laws in pursuit of their ambition to 'help' illegal aliens as part of their religious affiliations and misguided beliefs. They have engaged in this lawbreaking . . . repeatedly, endlessly and unchecked by our government!

Why do religious institutions, like the Catholic Church, and others, defy our immigration laws? Why do they flaunt our laws, by enabling millions upon millions of illegal aliens to enter, reside and work in America? Do they do so in order to 'feel good' about what they see as their 'Christian duty'? Why do pious people of the Christian faith believe it is okay for them to disobey our laws, which were created to protect and defend our country and its populous? Do they feel that they are above the law? By their example, does that mean that it is okay the rest of us to disobey other laws, as we choose? As you will find below, they DO believe that they are ABOVE AND BEYOND THE LAW!

Churches and religious groups who choose to defy our immigration are criminals! It does not matter what 'higher law' they think they are obeying. They are the proverbial 'Fifth Column' who operates out of sympathy for the 'invading army' of illegal aliens, by traitorously and subversively facilitating the Mexican 'migrant army' invasion of our country. An Hispanic/Latino invasion that WILL, by their sheer numbers, irrevocably alter our American community. They will divide our nation into two languages, two cultures, and two societies. The Catholic Church and Charities, their membership along with other churches and religious zealots who think only of their 'mission' without regard for the rest of us . . . are traitorous criminals who are betraying their country and its citizens!

Churches and religious zealots apparently believe that they should not be bound by the immigration laws of our country. They have taken it upon themselves to defy our laws by illegally 'aiding and abetting' aliens to come, enter, take up residence and work here in America. That makes them criminals! They also conceal, harbor and shield them from detection in houses, transport them and engage in conspiracies with others to commit those same illegal acts. In their 'blind ambition' the Catholic Church, Charities and many others are committing felonies in violation of our immigration laws, because of their misguided religious fervor. They are facilitating and perpetuating the unrelenting and exorable illegal alien invasion of our country! Their complicity and duplicity is a national tragedy and an egregious sacrilegious disgrace!

Many church organizations such as the California Council of Churches, who represents 1.5 million members of mainstream Protestant and Orthodox churches, and the Pomona-based Progressive Christians Uniting have pilloried Governor Schwarzenegger for standing up for those American Patriots called the 'Minutemen.' The churches and their minions sniveled: "We are appalled that Governor Schwarzenegger, who as our state's chief magistrate is pledged to maintain the rule of law, has chosen instead to praise a group of vigilantes who operate outside the law, saying they've done a terrific job in patrolling the border with Mexico."(44)

They go on to say: "No responsible or moral public official would encourage citizens to take the law into their own hands, particularly on an issue that is already so laden with division and hatred."(44)

And, still more invective: "'Playing on people's fears and divisions and dropping bombshells like those [praising the Minutemen] of last week represent demagoguery, not leadership' said the letter, signed by the Rev. John Walsh, a University of Redlands chaplain, and 149 other religious leaders."(45)

Unfortunately . . . those churches and 'Christian' leaders(???) have based their entire diatriabe on a LIE! How moral is that? It is deemed a lie, because the Patriot Minutemen have NEVER taken the law into their own hands nor has such an accusation been proven to be true . . . EVER!

What is so outrageous about all these religious institutions that are discussed here, is that they are fostering and promoting anarchy which is the: "Absence of government; [creating] the state of society where there is no law or supreme power [except God's law and who enforces that?]; [it is] a state of lawlessness; [and of] political confusion."(46) If the churches succeed is their mission . . . they will destroy the United States of America, a nation once touted as "a nation of laws!"

The Rev. Peter Laarman of Progressive Christians Uniting said: "We want to keep the level of violence, potential disruption and confrontation as low as possible. The religious leaders who signed this [letter to Schwartzenegger] are trying to be peacemakers."(44)

The pro-illegal alien churches all want 'as little confrontation as possible' so that they can continue to undermine our laws and sovereignty by encouraging and supporting illegal aliens to enter, reside and work here. The question they need to be asked and answer, is . . . how much 'peace' will there be when America has descended into chaos and anarchy? A condition that which will surely occur if the illegal alien invasion continues unchallenged and unabated.

How To Stop the Traitorous 'Aiding and Abetting' of Illegal Aliens:

By Enforcing These Immigration Laws:

1. It is illegal to "encourage or induce an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law." 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv).(47)

2. It unlawful to aid or abet the commission of such acts. 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(II).(47)

3. It is also unlawful to conceal or attempt to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, illegal aliens, including any building or any means of transportation. 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii).(47)

4. it is illegal to "engage in any conspiracy to commit any of the preceding acts." 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I).(47)

To 'Aid and Abet' is to actively, knowingly, or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime.

To engage in any of the above is a felony: A crime is considered a felony when the specified crime carries a penalty of more than one year in prison.(4 For the crimes listed above the maximum penalties range from five to twenty years for EACH (illegal alien) violation. Where sentences over five years indicate additional aggravating circumstances.

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Text of 8 USC 1324: Bringing in and harboring certain [illegal] aliens
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Federal Immigration and Nationality Act
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
Aiding, Abetting, Harboring, Encouraging Illegal Aliens is a Felony.
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Excerpts from 8 USC 1324: Law Regarding Hiring of Illegal Aliens.
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Aiding, Abetting, Harboring, or Encouraging Illegal Aliens is a Felony
Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii)
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Illegal Alien Groups Tell Arizona Papers Not To Report Immigrant Status
It is pretty sad that these organizations even feel like they have the right to try and demand that the news should censor itself. . . they are support groups for criminals in this country that are trying to hide the truth of the criminals impact on society.

I think it really is time that these groups who are openly aiding and abetting illegal aliens be investigated and start losing their non-profit status. Most of them act like organizations that could be charged under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act. As in this case they are sure to bring up that 40% of the community is Hispanic and make a veiled threat to the media that if they report the facts, which in this case would be the legal status of criminals, they are being hateful toward Hispanics.

In addition, if most of these groups donor lists are really investigated I'm sure you'll find the footprints of foreign governments making donations - either directly or via corporate structures - in order to influence our laws and coverage of illegal aliens in this country.
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My Catholic duties--- are an integral part of my daily life. I do not hate the immigrants, but I do not want them here. I am a citizen who happens to be a Catholic. I am an American who puts his country first. I am a Catholic who believes that, for years now, the church has been in vilolation of reasonable American laws. I am just a layman, but I clearly see the difference between what is Caesar's and what is God's. Jesus did not, at Cana, tell the celebrants to go into the vineyard across the road and help themselves to that person's grapes and wine. The Catholic churh does. Jesus did not send the wedding guests to he local bakery to help themselves to the goods there. The Catholic church does.

I no longer attend church. I still believe in all that I believed in years ago, except the ministers of the church who are willing to destroy our country to satisfy their need for a larger congregation.

Contact information for all Catholic Bishops in the United States is available at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/

The Catholic Church has an entire section of their website devoted to the Church's policy on immigration, which they now--together with the United Nations--insist on calling "migration". These two institutions now wish to establish "migration" as a universal "basic human right" to better one's economic circumstances.

The Catholic Church's policy section on immigration is titled "Strangers No Longer:Together on the Journey of Hope", and it begins with "A Pastoral Letter Concerning Migration from the Catholic Bishops of MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES." (caps mine) There is a "Contact Us" section listed on the left sidebar at this site:
http://www.usccb.org/mrs/stranger.shtml

The organization "Americans United for the Separation of Church and State" can be contacted at americansunited@au.org . Their website is http://www.au.org/