Cardinal says to use Lent to oppose hostility toward immigrants

Published: 2006-03-02

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, in a Lenten message and in pre-Lenten newspaper interviews, has lashed out at anti-immigrant feelings in the United States and asked Catholics to dedicate their Lenten prayers and practices to helping immigrants. He also said that archdiocesan priests and pastoral workers are going to continue offering services to people in the country illegally even if such efforts are outlawed. In interviews with the Los Angeles Times and The Tidings, the archdiocesan newspaper, the cardinal harshly criticized a recent bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that emphasizes enforcement measures against people who are in the country illegally. Cardinal Mahony called the House legislation, which would penalize people who aid illegal immigrants, a "blameful, vicious" bill. "Anyone who does anything for someone here who doesn't have documents would be a felon under this bill," the cardinal told The Tidings.

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