May 8, 2008 5:27 PM
Catholic clergy have been among the strongest voices speaking out against IR-1105. Fathers Brisotti and Richardson supplied a warmly pastoral tone to the otherwise rancorous debate over the anti-immigrant proposal. But with dozens of parishes with growing Hispanic membership and many Hispanic Catholic parish groups, we have to ask, "Can't we do more?".
Parishes with large Spanish-speaking communities will see their membership dwindle if IR-1105 is passed. This is what has already happened elsewhere in the country when similar laws were passed. Parish outreach centers will be overwhelmed by newly unemployed workers seeking even the most basic means of living. The children of the undocumented, though they may be U.S. citizens themselves, will be cast upon the shoals of homelessness and dispair.
Many of us cheered the Holy Father's message of care for the immigrants among us, but our own local government is now trying to cast them out.
It is urgent that priests, religious, and lay people alike participate in the growing movement to stop IR-1105. The bill stands against the most basic values of the Catholic Church and cannot be allowed to pass without vocal condemnation.
For more information on the bill, visit our toolkit.