[Editor’s
Note: Each October, the Catholic Church in the United States observes Respect
Life Month. Articles in this section of our bulletin will be adapted from
materials provided by the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to help us understand and value
the gift of human life. Although written for junior high students, we can all benefit from the truths these articles present.]
Immigration
In Catholic Social Teaching, we talk abut the concept of solidarity.
Humans are interdependent beings. Solidarity embraces interdependence
as a gift, something that allows us to live our common humanity by cherishing
each other and working for the good of others as we also work for our own good in doing this, we use our gifts to make the
world a better place to all people, including ourselves.
“Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of
so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm
and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual,
because we are all really responsible for all” [Saint John Paul II, Solicitudo rel socialis].
One very clear expression of
solidarity is the way we treat immigrants and refugees to our country. There
are some who suggest that people without proper documentation should not be allowed to live in the U.S. and should be kept
from our country and its opportunities.
Immigration law is
highly complex. Who is or is not allowed to travel to our country? Who is an asylum seeker, a refugee, a legal immigrant, an illegal immigrant? Are naturalized citizens true citizens or are they still at risk for deportation?
What is a sanctuary city/state?
Are they legal? Are our churches places of sanctuary?
What happens when parents are deported but the children are U.S. citizens?
Are detention facilities necessary?
As a nation,
we have been contemplating these questions for years, but taking action towards a better solution is the challenge.
One of the most contentious issues surrounding immigration is the question of
whether to honor promises made to DACA recipients.
These young adults were brought to the United States by their parents as young
children. They have grown up here in the U.S., speak English, have attended
school and college, have jobs and families.
Some are business owners. Many don’t remember ever having lived
anywhere but the U.S.
What does our faith tell us is the right thing to do in this situation?
It is complicated. Treating people justly necessitates
giving them what is deserved. Is permanent residency a just solution for
children brought to the U.S. illegally through no fault of their own? Is
citizenship? Is deportation?
Our faith also compels us to look at situations with mercy.
What does mercy necessitate in this situation?
And how do we weigh the competing good of protecting borders and keeping families together when making a decision?
No partisan finger-pointing is needed on this issue as it is clear that leaders
of both sides of the aisle have stalled solutions to DACA for reasons of political expediency.
It can be difficult even for Christians to look at these issues without our partisan predispositions.
But, that is exactly what the Church demands we do - evaluate each
issue as to whether it protects the dignity of each human person and furthers the common good.
In this instance, as with all other social issues, the Christian community is called to prayerfully reflect on the Scripture, on Catholic social teaching,
and on the wisdom of our Holy Fathers. We are told to form our consciences
and encouraged to add our voices to the debate, offering solutions grounded in our understanding of the human person.
We should
be very proud that the Catholic Church continues to take the lead in offering assistance and services to immigrants, as it
has done since the foundation of our country. Based on our unshakable belief
in the dignity of every human person, and the right to pursue personal fulfillment and to create a sustainable, peaceful life
for their families, we welcome immigrants into our churches, illustrating the Catholic, universal nature of our faith. With
nearly five million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is not only
the largest diocese in the United States, it is also one of the most diverse, with people from about 70 countries and every
continent. Masses are said in 42 languages.
“The Church is a mother with an open heart.
She knows how to welcome and accept, especially those in need of greater care, those in greater difficulty.
The church, as desired by Jesus, is the home of hospitality…. welcoming the different cultures, of which our
earth is so richly blessed” [Pope Francis, 2008].
If we understand
that we really are better together – that this is not just a snappy catch phrase – because we were created to
love and to care for other people, then issues of solidarity take a central role in our decision making.
We begin looking at how all of our choices, big and small, impact others around us for better or for worse.
We look at the issues of public policy through the lenses of their
impact on the common good. Does a particular law positively or negatively affect those in our communities, in our churches,
in our families? How does it affect the most vulnerable:
the poor, the sick, the immigrants, the orphans, the preborn?
As Christians,
community and solidarity are not extrinsic to our lived experience of the faith.
Instead, they are central to discipleship. As Jesus said, “Whatever
you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” {Matthew 25.40].
