Thread: "Christmas Is Immigrant's Story", Ark. Bishop Says

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Bud Kennedy
E-Mail: bud@budkennedy.com
Posted on Sun, Nov. 30, 2008

Kennedy: Bishop says Joseph and Mary were immigrants, too

By BUD KENNEDY

The new bishop of Arkansas has a strong message for Roman Catholics: Christmas is an immigrant’s story.

"Does Jesus find a warm welcome in our communities?" writes Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, a Fort Worth native, in a pastoral letter read last Sunday in parishes across Arkansas.

"What changes do we need to make here in Arkansas in order to ensure that today’s Marys and Josephs — today’s Marias and Joses — receive a warm welcome truly worthy of the Savior?"

Taylor, 54, was resting this weekend far from the ensuing political firestorm.

Here to see siblings in Fort Worth, he visited the city where his family founded Taylor Dressed Beef Co. and where he spent kindergarten in St. Andrew’s Catholic School.

"I’ve had a few negative letters," he said.

So I see in the Arkansas newspapers and on the Web, where activists from Americans for Legal Immigration are openly publishing Catholic-bashing comments accusing Arkansas church leaders as "pedifiles" and the church of "looking for more alter boys."

Priests across Arkansas will follow Taylor’s letter with sermons today, beginning a three-week series of Advent messages linking the Christmas story to civil rights and immigration.

The title of Taylor’s message is from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: "I Was a Stranger, and You Welcomed Me . . ."

Read his entire letter. It’s on the diocese Web site at www.dolr.org.

He tells Arkansas Catholics: "There must be no dividing lines in our parishes, no second-class parishioners — all are welcome, without exception."

His letter acknowledges that embracing immigrants "sometimes takes time to adjust . . . but it is precisely to this that Jesus calls us, one and all. In this, Jesus will use us to be a light to our nation."

Taylor has told Arkansas reporters that he thinks Catholics are "confused" on immigration.

He wants worshippers to understand the church’s message, particularly as a new Arkansas General Assembly considers bills to punish illegal aliens — not for any crime, but simply for remaining in the U.S. in civil violation of federal immigration law.

"I saw what happened in Oklahoma," Taylor said here Friday, referring to a crackdown last year that drove thousands of people out of the Sooner State, taking with them thousands of dollars in economic development and consumer spending.

Taylor came to Arkansas from Sacred Heart Church in Oklahoma City, where he and other priests opposed the hard-line laws that even punish churches that "harbor" foreigners without papers.

"It broke my heart," Taylor said. "I don’t want anything like that to happen in Arkansas."

Whenever anyone sticks up for the illegal alien workers who are doing about one-third of the work on construction and paving jobs and in hotels and restaurants, somebody else starts shouting about "open borders."

"I’m not for open borders," Taylor said.

"I’m for orderly border crossings that allow the immigration we need to support our economy. If honest people can show they are not criminals and come into the country at the border crossing, then only criminals will run and hide and try to cross somewhere else. Then we can catch them."

His letter compares immigration with civil rights and calls for Catholics to support reform.

Southern Baptist pastor and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee once delivered the same message — at least, until he started running for president.

Taylor’s letter closes with 19 excerpts from Scripture.

One quotes the prophet Isaiah: "Woe to the legislators of infamous laws, to those who issue tyrannical decrees, who refuse justice to the unfortunate and cheat the poor . . ."

That’s a message bigger than Little Rock.

Bud Kennedy’s column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 817-390-7538

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/colum ... 64624.html

From the link in the story above:

Make a Path November 30, 2008
First Sunday of Advent

The Scriptures tell us to "Prepare the way of the Lord" for he is coming and his glory will be revealed to all.

Jesus warns us to always be "watchful and alert" for we "do not know when the time will come." For the unprepared, it shall come "like a thief" in the night.

"Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace." (2 Peter 3:14)

To help us prepare, the Church celebrates Advent, which this year runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, leading into the great feast of Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth. Advent is a four-week season of joy, anticipation and repentance to prepare for the coming of Christ and inaugurates the liturgical year. To learn more, visit to Catechism of the Catholic Church, 524-528.

One simple way to celebrate is with an Advent wreath, which consists of evergreen and four candles, one for each Sunday of the season. The wreath symbolizes our eternal God and the evergreen represents God's unchangeableness and our immortality. The three violet candles reflect our longing and the single rose candle symbolizes our joy and hope awaiting the Redeemer's birth. Learn how to make an Advent wreath or other seasonal customs by visiting AmericanCatholic.org.

See prayers of blessing for a wreath, tree and nativity on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Web site or experience an Advent radio retreat at FranciscanRadio.org. The USCCB also suggests prayers, books, movies and even gift ideas for the whole family from Advent to Epiphany.

St. Nicholas can brighten Christmas

Join St. Nicholas in giving love and hope this Christmas season. St. Nicholas Partners is the annual Christmas appeal to benefit Catholic Charities of Arkansas.

Donors may elect to support a specific program within Catholic Charities, or may designate that their gift be used where needed most. To learn more, go to Catholic Charities of Arkansas.

Bishop Taylor releases first pastoral letter on immigration

On Nov. 5, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor released his first pastoral letter as bishop of Little Rock. "I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Pastoral Letter on the Human Rights of Immigrants," challenges Catholics to open their minds and hearts to Christ's teachings as well as learn the plight of immigrants seeking a better life in the United States.

On Nov. 23, the feast of Christ the King, the letter was distributed at all parishes throughout the state. A recorded homily from the bishop explains why he wrote the letter. To listen in English, click here.

Bishop Taylor asks all Catholics in Arkansas to study the letter by participating in a three-week Advent Study Guide developed by Little Rock Scripture Study. The sessions will be held in churches through Dec. 20.

The bishop introduced the letter to Arkansas' priests Nov. 5 and to diocesan employees Nov. 7 during a study day at St. John Catholic Center. He held a press conference to explain it to the public on Nov. 6. Read about it in Arkansas Catholic or download the pastoral letter and its companion materials.

Pastoral letter in English or Spanish (PDF files)
Two-page summary in English or Spanish (PDF files)
Advent Study Guide in English or Spanish (PDF files)
Audio of Bishop Taylor's homily in English or Spanish (MP3 files)
Homily text in English or Spanish (PDF files)

"The new Bishop of Arkansas?" Well it sounds like he's wanting his tax-free status TAKEN AWAY!!!

We aren't talking about immigrants!

We are talking about illegal immigrants !

Someone needs to explain to this Gooney Goo Goo Bishop that these Illegal Immigrants can be just as good Catholics and Christians in their HOME Countries

Who said America should have a monopoly on being a Catholic, Protestant or Christian.... NO... it's time to go home

Can anyone locate these supposed "Catholic Bashing" comments this article cites please?

W

Joseph and Mary were returning to their birthplace for a census when Jesus was born. That makes them LEGAL immigrants. America was built by the hard labor of legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are no better than thiefs. They steal our jobs and they steal out of our public taxpayer supported funds.

ALIPAC:
I had not noticed that Americans for Legal Immigration was mentioned. Perhaps it would be good to write or email Bishop Taylor directly and request that he substantiate these claims? You certainly have a right to do so.

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

"The new Bishop of Arkansas?" Well it sounds like he's wanting his tax-free status TAKEN AWAY!!!

We aren't talking about immigrants!

We are talking about illegal immigrants !

I agree with you. I think the Catholic Church should have its tax free status removed.

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

Can anyone locate these supposed "Catholic Bashing" comments this article cites please?

W

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... c&t=137381

He might be referring to the statements AirborneSapper7 made in the above thread.

He's looking for more alter boys ... and by the way; ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS can be just as good a Cristian in they're own native country

You dont have to be in America to be religious... matter of fact with all of the corruption in this country and in the Catholic church... the Illegal Aliens would be better served being BACK ACROSS THE BORDER,

Someone do a background check to see if this Bishop is a Pedifile

Originally Posted by bigtex

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

"The new Bishop of Arkansas?" Well it sounds like he's wanting his tax-free status TAKEN AWAY!!!

We aren't talking about immigrants!

We are talking about illegal immigrants !

I agree with you. I think the Catholic Church should have its tax free status removed.

Use IRS Form 13909 to make a complaint.