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Los Angeles's Catholic Archbishop Roger Mahony has an Op-Ed in the New York Times (registration required) about his statement that he would tell his priests to defy a proposed law about illegal immigration. He writes, "Providing humanitarian assistance to those in need should not be made a crime, as the House bill decrees. As written, the proposed law is so broad that it would criminalize even minor acts of mercy like offering a meal or administering first aid." He adds that while the church does not support illegal immigration, "The unspoken truth of the immigration debate is that at the same time our nation benefits economically from the presence of undocumented workers, we turn a blind eye when they are exploited by employers."
Good for him for making the situation a broader moral debate. Few politicians seem to be able to frame the discussion in terms of humanity and ethics while acknowledging its complexity. Since much of our previous knowledge of Mahony has come from watching him try to downplay all the sex abuse scandals, it's really nice to see him take a clear stand on this -- particularly because he's right.
Photo from the White House web site.
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Sadly, if only the government of Mexico had the same feelings about their citizens. Why isn't Mahoney going after President Fox who supports sending his citizens to their deaths in the deserts or to be exploited by their own people? Oh, right, it's easier to kick the US who must then support, educate and heal Mexicans who should by all rights have the same opportunities as the rich in their own country. Turn your thinking around, maybe they don't come here because the US is so great, maybe they come here because Mexico is a corrupt society who exports and exploits their lower classes because they don't care enough to solve their own economic and societal problems. C'mon, Mahoney, try taking on the real source of the problem - Mexico.
Ugh, last time I checked Mexico was not the only country of origin for undocumented immigrants.
Ugh, cindylu. Have a point, fer crissake. Sure, there are other countries involved but Mexico does share the southern border with the US, in case you haven't noticed. So, are we not to address the issue with the country primarily responsible for the disaster that is illegal immigration or bury our heads in useless rhetoric? Judging from your response, I would say you would choose the useless rhetoric option.
Too bad Mahoney can't be bothered to take a "moral stand" on the fact that he protects child molesters.
He seems to love to protect people breaking the law.
maxie: cindylu made a simple clear point. try to grasp it.
lewis: Vincente Fox does not support sending citizens to die in the desert. that sounds like our President.
plague: if you are trying to equate immigrants with child molesting priests, you are truly one messed-up human being.
Fox is overjoyed to get rid of his excess population--especially those who would otherwise cause dissention and strife. If they die in the sand or park cars in LA--he doesn't care, but he's glad that the valets and busboys send money home to prop up his defunct economy. Foxis not a good guy.
And Mahoney is just as happy to have new victims to put money in the collection plate.
And yes, millions of Hungarians and Danes are exporting themselves to the US in vats of jam.
And you, Carolyn, are an idiot with no grasp of hyperbole.
My comment is obviously regarding what Mahoney's priorities are, which you are either too blind to see or are willfully ignorant of.
But hey, you write on a blog, so what do I know.
I couldn't e-mail either!