Twisted and Suspect Piety—Church groups that favor illegal immigration often invoke the Almighty and wrap themselves in the mantle of compassion as their justification for turning a blind eye to the crimes of an illegal alien community. If simply giving somebody something they want without making them earn it is compassion, then larceny is next to godliness. The American and Mexican bishops should use their good intentions and powerful influence to remind the Mexican government that it has a responsibility for its citizens. The Mexican works for slave wages, thus impelling him to enter the United States under any conditions. Why does every discussion among American and Mexican ecclesiastics leave out the responsibility the Mexican government has for its own citizens? This is a question they must ask and answer. If it is a lack of understanding of economics and social development, then they need but acquire that from the vast academic community at their disposal. If they are considering the mere growth of church membership and the increase of American remittances to south of our border as more important than curbing the evils connected with illegal immigration, then the Church needs to seek repentance.
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Those who preach the biblical emphasis on Sanctuary might wish to meditate on the meaning of this quote: In chapter 13 of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans, we read: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed.” (Romans 13:1-2). Clearly, this is advice to Christians to follow the laws of their nation and to respect the laws of other nations. It might be better for those superiors who order their clerics to break the law by harboring illegal aliens, to use the tools available to any American and work to have the law changed. Let democracy decide this question.
Although Christianity encourages acts of charity, we cannot be both charitable and law breakers. We cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. The Archbishop of Mexico City should be encouraged to work with his own backyard politicians and create a Mexico that treats its own citizens decently. He should encourage Mexicans to work for Christian social change in Mexico instead of criticizing U. S. immigration policies. Unless the Mexican government steps up to the plate and reorganizes its corrupt and inefficient use of state monies and talent, Mexican citizens will never be able to have a fulfilling life. Nor can the Mexican government take pride in itself by simply pushing the poor from their house to our house. That is neither Christian charity nor respect for its citizenry. The Mexican ruling elite is trying to con America into taking on board what the Mexican government considers to be excess baggage. One day they will be called to account for disrespecting their own people in this cold and calculating manner.
. . . The situation is clearly out of control. The American Christian Church must say something about all of this! It is an issue chock full of immorality. If Christian leaders keep their ear to the ground they will learn that in the pews, and among the clergy who operate parishes in industrial sections of this nation, the overwhelming majority of the people of faith see what the leaders seem to have difficulty seeing, i.e., that illegal immigration hurts the most America's most vulnerable citizens.