Letter to the Editor from Sharpsburg

Published: February 8, 2007

To the Editor:

In response to Mr. John LaBlanc’s letter of Jan. 18, I invite readers of The Georgia Bulletin to read the Holy Father’s recent statements regarding our duties and responsibilities to immigrants. Readers may access this document directly at www.zenit.org, “Migration a Boon to Society, Says Pope.” These principles rightfully point out the legitimate reasons for migration, but beyond that, emphasize that the reasons ultimately don’t play into our treatment of the foreigner: We are commanded to welcome them as a sign of God.

There is no “rule of law” when it comes to the natural law; natural law informs us that “with God, there are no borders.” They are not just migrants (illegal or otherwise) they are our brothers and sisters, they are our children, they are us—you and me!

Migration is a natural process of life. As Christians, we can look to the Holy Family as an example of a migrant family. They were forced to migrate for a time during the census. They were immigrant aliens allowed to live and prosper for a time in their adopted home. Then, after the departure of the Wise Men, Joseph was told by the angel to flee with Mary and the Child Jesus to Egypt—immigrant aliens again.

Regardless of the “reasons” we are faced with, we, as Christians are called—no, commanded by the Gospel to welcome the stranger, to love and to care for them. I agree with Mr. LaBlanc that we as the people of God should support the immigrant with hope and charity; however, respective status of “nationality” has no bearing on God’s command to love and serve the poor, for we are all One Human Family in the eyes of God.

Rhonda Boyle, Sharpsburg