http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_060104049.html

(AP) LOS ANGELES The leader of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese is expected to call for parishioners to mobilize on behalf of illegal immigrants in his Ash Wednesday Mass.

Cardinal Roger Mahony told the Los Angeles Times that it's the first time he'll call the entire 5 million-member archdiocese -- the nation's largest -- to get behind a social issue.

Mahony made his comments as congress begins to consider regulations that would require social organizations and church groups to ask people for documentation when approached for help. He said he'll instruct his priests to defy that legislation if it is passed.

Mahony is criticizing efforts by the immigration control groups like Minuteman Project that police the border. He said he's against what he calls a "hysterical" anti-immigration sentiment sweeping the nation.