Thread: Catholic Bishop Urges Immigration Change

http://ocregister.com/ocregister/new...le_1170531.php

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."

Should we send the Bishop a Burrito Award?

I'm really irritated at the Catholic Church for sticking their nose in our business.

All these bishops and priest don't want to move to Mexico, when all their parishioners have to go home. It's not about the poor immigrant, it's about where they want to live. Those statements to the congregation are self-serving.

I really wish the Pope would speak up against these people making us upset and angry. About what the Bible says about borders and that church officals should stay out of governement business.

Dixie

it's fine in mexico. they're not as rich as some americans down there, but they're making it. it's a different cost of living.

unemployment is low, jobs are easy to get that pay a liveable wage.

The Catholic church should focus on fixing their own problems before sticking their nose into matters they have no business

I just had the strangest thing happen. The Church called my home!?

I've never participated in the little Church here as I've been disgusted for years at the abuse situation, etc. There is no reason for them to ever call our family.

Their number was on my ID a few minutes ago. What the heck?

I think these churches need to have their tax exempt status pulled for getting involved in politics (which they are). Lets see how fast they change their views!

I think i'll mail them a microwavable burrito.

Originally Posted by 2ndamendsis

I just had the strangest thing happen. The Church called my home!?

I've never participated in the little Church here as I've been disgusted for years at the abuse situation, etc. There is no reason for them to ever call our family.

Their number was on my ID a few minutes ago. What the heck?

Was Rod Sterling standing in the corner

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.

All these steps mean that the Catholic Church will use their money, their foundations, their political contacts, and their activists to PUSH this bill down the throat of most Americans.

This is exactly the complaint against the Vatican, not only that it pursues its global agenda, but that it does this at the expense of National Sovereignty of America.

The Vatican tells the Cardinal and Archbishops what to do - they ALL are personally apointed by the Vatican, each one of them, in EVERY country.

Then the Cardinals and Archbishops tell their local Bishops in each diocese what to say to the people, how to sway them, and what arguments to use.


And it is worth remembering that the Position that Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) once occupied right under John Paul II - has a New Occupant.

It is the Old Archbishop of ...you guessed it LOS ANGELES.

and HE is now in the Vatican...advising the Current Pope on what to do.

So the policies of the Catholic Diocese of Los Angeles under Lavenda (the name of the ARchbishop who left L.A. to serve in the Vatican) NOW...

is having a National Impact on the U.S. and a Global Impact, as all the Bishops and ARchbishops and Cardinals in Mexico, Central America and South America are ALL told to get in line

and support this VATICAN policy.



If More Catholics don't start witholding their dues on Sunday Mass and their donations to the Various Catholic Charities UNTIL THE BORDER IS CLOSED, the Vatican Moves will only INCREASE

the PACE OF the Invasion

GH

Update of some local opinion on this piece

http://ocregister.com/ocregister/opi...le_1171851.php
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Letters: Is bishop tending flock or agenda?


I was at the Mass where Roman Catholic Bishop Tod Brown delivered his call for immigration reform ["Bishop urges immigration change," Local, June 5], and I felt that the time and place he had chosen for political grandstanding was completely inappropriate and downright disrespectful to the young men and women who had worked long and hard with their catechists, sponsors and their families for two years leading up to their confirmation.

I saw a few people walking out while he was speaking, and I would have, too, but I guess I was in too much of a state of shock that the bishop would do such a thing.

I found out later that one catechist had the late Steven Ambriz as a confirmation sponsor – Ambriz had been a part of the program for two years and would have been there but for a terrible accident.

At no time did the bishop even mention this man and his contribution to the sacrament being celebrated that day.

The bishop said later that he had to "take the time and place given to him" to send his message. I hope he realizes that his poor choice of "time and place" has resulted in the demeaning of what should have been a glorious day for a special group of young men and women, and the alienation of a sizeable number of the flock he supposedly leads.
Miguel Villasin
Santa Ana

Catholic leaders like Cardinal Roger Mahony and Bishop Brown profess to be so concerned with the plight of the illegal immigrants, but show no concern for the welfare of the legal citizens of California. Why haven't they offered to open up the Catholic schools and hospitals for free education and health care to their flocks who are here illegally? It would certainly take some of the pressure off our overburdened public schools and emergency rooms and let them go back to serving the taxpaying public that pays for these services.
Ron Craig
Laguna Beach

Bishop Tod Brown would be wise to be quiet about the immigration issue, just as quiet as he was during the years he and the other bishops were protecting and thereby aiding and abetting the child molesters under their control. Bishop Brown has no credibility and an obvious conflict of interest on the immigration issue. After all, how is the church going to recoup all those millions paid out to the victims of the priests? The answer is by bringing in millions of illegal aliens to fill the church coffers.
Erwin Skadron
San Clemente