Denver archbishop to hold immigration forum with congressmen

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Archbishop Charles Chaput

Denver, Colo., Jun 2, 2009 / 07:02 pm (CNA).- Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has announced that he will join two U.S. Representatives in sponsoring an open forum to discuss immigration reform on June 13. “We need to get down to the practical steps of changing our immigration laws in a sane and positive way – now,” said Chaput.

The Archbishop, along with Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) will engage in a discussion on immigration reform at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Northglenn, Colorado.

In a column published by the Denver Catholic Register, Chaput clearly stated the problem to be addressed: “Our immigration policies are outdated, and our immigration laws too often don’t conform to reality or our nation’s real needs.”

Archbishop Chaput described current situation faced by millions undocumented immigrants as a “legal Twilight Zone.” This situation is “morally inexcusable,” he said, noting that the vast majority of these individuals are hard working, law-abiding individuals, many of whom have families threatened by the current immigration system.

Emphasizing that the Catholic Church respects the nation’s laws, Chaput added that, “We can’t ignore people in need, and we won’t be quiet about laws that don’t work — or that, in their 'working,' create impossible contradictions and suffering.”

The President and Congress need to “act quickly and justly to solve this problem,” he stated.

In his column, Chaput stressed the importance of intelligent dialogue and swift action in solving the legal dilemma. “Good people can disagree honorably about the specifics of immigration reform,” he said. “But we can’t honorably ignore the need for reform or the suffering of families who pay the cost of doing nothing.”

“We need to remember that how we treat the weak, the infirm, the elderly, the unborn child and the foreigner reflects on our own humanity,” said Chaput, noting that, “We become what we do, for good or for evil.”

“Our country’s immigration crisis is a test of our humanity. Whether we pass it is entirely up to us,” the archbishop said in closing.

The June 13 forum is part of a national outreach tour known as “Familias Unidas.” The tour encompasses 22 major cities across the country and is intended to help gain a better understanding of the harm to individuals and families caused by the current immigration system, a press release from Rep. Polis' office says.

The forum will include testimony of individuals and families whose lives have been affected by the current immigration system, along with those who are at high risk.

Comments: 9

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mack B. Long
Texas, U.S.A. 06/03/2009 11:28 PM EST

Big Religion is like any other Special Interest Group, just follow the money. Most Special Interest Groups are only concerned for "their" Elitist and not the people they pretend to speak for or save from harm.

The Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Contributors, such as Big Labor and Big Religion (both defined as the hierarchy of the labor and religious groups) along with other Special Interest Groups, consider their nation’s citizens only as "units of labor" and the sooner their nation becomes a Third World Country the better for their "bottom line"! The Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Political Contributors will not be happy until they transform their nations into just another Third World Country for most of their citizens while furnishing their Elitist Special Interest Groups with their supply of "cheap labor", "union dues", and of course "church donations".

Published by: Tyler Thomas
Jamaica 06/03/2009 07:05 PM EST

I truly believe that President Obama is making preparations for immigration reform. He's laying the ground work. He's pick for the suprem court justice "Judge Sotomayor" is just the begining. I beleive the President acknowledges the fact that this country is in dire need of our foreign brothers & sisters to bring America to be the world leader again.

Published by: James
Dallas, 06/03/2009 05:56 PM EST

“We need to remember that how we treat the weak, the infirm, the elderly, the unborn child and the foreigner reflects on our own humanity,” said Chaput.
==================

OH Really now, what about the American Citizens who deserve to be treated? Did you conveniently forget about them, Archbishop?

I disagree with your comments that we need reform and laws. I say this because we have laws on the books since 1986 that elected officials have chosen not to enforce because they have been bought off by the US Chamber of Commerce, and big businesses who want to pay slave labor wages. Our Immigration laws just need to be enforced. And as for this comment about seperating families, well, the only people to blame for this are the people who are illegally in the country themselves. They know they are illegal and they know one day they might get caught by ICE or any other law enforcement agency.

Archbishop, what about the suffering of American families who have lost loved ones to those illegally in this country? do you feel anything for them, or are you just worried about those who have come into this country illegally, violating US LAW?

Published by: Thumper
Colorado springs, CO 06/03/2009 04:35 PM EST

I remember all these same discussions taking place in 1985 and 1985. But at least then, the parties were honest to call it waht it was; amnesty. That was a one time amnesty (supposedly). How many more amnesties will we have? The Catholic Churcfh should keep their nose out of theis discussion unless they are willing to pay the bill.

Published by: Kim Poletto
Englewood CO 06/03/2009 03:35 PM EST

Here is what I don't understand. According to Cathloic Moral teaching the end never justifies the mean. Unless someone can demonstrate that the immigration laws are immoral, one cannot violate those laws, as it would be immoral, again according to Cathlic moral teaching. Supposildy, millions have violated those laws which would be an immoral act, and now live in a "legal Twilight Zone." That being the case, how can one morally justify revisions to the immigration laws to allow the rewarding of an illegal and immoral act? Just wondering.

Published by: Ivan
Tampa, FL 06/03/2009 09:29 AM EST

Why all the hatred? Why would the GOP doom itself by opposing the right thing: a humane comprehensive immigration reform? Demographic changes in America and the recent election showed a new America: more diverse, tolerant, and accepting.
Lou Dobbs, Senator Jeff Sessions, and Tom Tancredo are old news. Good'ole boy America is no more, and a comprehensive immigration reform is a matter of when, not if. Let us hope it takes place this year!!!

Published by: Leander Dosch
Huntsville, Utah 06/03/2009 06:44 AM EST

It is ironic that while Archbishop Chaput is working to protect families, which provide for the future of the country, President Obama is declaring June LGBT Pride Month. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons contribute nothing similar to the future of the country.

Published by: Dale Howell
Sacramento CA 06/03/2009 12:18 AM EST

Archbishop Chaput, please do not forget to discuss with the Congressmen effective strategies for dealing with the mental and emotional agony of the millions of Americans who will soon find themselves dispossessed of their country, their heritage, and their futures.

Most probably refugee centers will need to be erected at various locations so that these poor unfortunates can be re-educated to accept that America's time had passed, and that they will need to find a way to "fit in" and make the best of the new reality. Maybe a home can be found for them in Israel?

Published by: Brittanicus
Indianapolis, IN 06/02/2009 09:51 PM EST

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IRATE VOICES, CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE?

Give these pro-illegal immigration politicians--GIVE THEM NO BREATHING ROOM? THESE PEOPLE KEEP LYING TO US! E-VERIFY needs the frustrated American public to shove the immigration enforcement, down our corrupt politicians throat. These are the open borders, free traders who would sell their very soul to the devil for profit. These are the corporate elitists, who have closed down hundreds of thousands of our industries. They are also the planners to saturate America with an unfettered cheap labor force, promoting lower wages for American workers.

California which is an economic mess, is said to have 37 inhabitants living there. 3 to 4 million illegal immigrants have said to have settled in Los Angeles alone? How many have drained the welfare safety net, meant exclusively citizens and permanent residents. How many foreign nationals have tapped into the dwindling reservoir of government benefits, housing, food stamps and whatever they can take to support their families? Accumulation of years of neglect--the killing of proposition 187, to halt benefits to illegal aliens--and the pandering by the Sacramento state assembly to the illegal foreigner invasion.

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