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Bishop urges immigration change
Brown calls for overhauling U.S. policy during confirmation Mass in cathedral.

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register

Bishop Brown calls for:
• Earned legalization for the undocumented and their families.
• A temporary worker program.
• Quick family reunification.
• Due process protection for immigrants.
• No sanctions for those who provide humanitarian aid for the undocumented.
• A policy that addresses root causes so immigrants can remain in their home countries.

ORANGE – A Mass celebrating one of the Catholic Church's most holy days took a political twist on Sunday.

More than 800 parishioners gathered in the capacity-filled Holy Family Cathedral for Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian church. Many were also celebrating the confirmation of 89 high school sophomores.

Before the final blessing, the Rev. Tod Brown, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, called for an immigration overhaul, urging the U.S. Senate and House to reconcile their respective bills.

Brown, with Diocese of Orange auxiliary Bishops Dominic Luong and Jaime Soto, stands united with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in calling for specific immigration changes. They include earned legalization for immigrants and their families, and speedy family reunification.

In an interview after Mass, Brown answered questions about border security.

Of the proposal to increase fencing, he said, "I wonder if it's necessary. I wonder if there are other ways (to secure the border)."

He said of the Minuteman Project, "I would rather leave the issue of border enforcement to those legally charged with that."

Brown said he chose Sunday's Mass as his opportunity to speak because of its timeliness. The Senate bill passed last month next goes to a conference committee. Members of the committee will try to hammer out a compromise that they can present to the House and Senate for a final vote.

"I have to take the time and place given to me," Brown said. " I hope they listen to me as the chief teacher, and hopefully they'll agree with it."

Some parishioners were troubled by the bishop's comments, saying it took away from the confirmation ceremony.

"That's all people were talking about," said Kathy LaMonda, 48, of Orange, who said she didn't agree with Brown's positions on immigration policy. "They're frustrated he chose to take this forum and overshadow the confirmation. I'm offended and disappointed. This was not the forum for a bishop of Orange to get on a political agenda."

Dan Juliano, 44, of Orange, called Brown's comments "totally inappropriate."

"It's the kids' day," he said. "I don't care about his views on immigration."

Alex Makardish, 16, said Brown's comments made his confirmation day feel even more blessed.

"We're one nation under God," he said. "We should support the immigrants."

John Hanna, 55, of Orange said the message made him take a hard look at the issue.

"It's not what we want to hear, but what we have to hear," he said. "It needed to be said. As Christians, we need to heed that. That's the whole Gospel message. Jesus said, 'You'll see me in the stranger's face.' They are the stranger."

Joe Squillagioti, 29, of Garden Grove admired Brown.

"I thought it was courageous - not just because it was the confirmation Mass," he said. "Bringing in the outside subject shows it's relevant for everyone to hear."