Bishops of Georgia, Carolinas press Congress on immigration reform

Published: 2006-12-01

ATLANTA (CNS) -- Five bishops from the three states that make up the U.S. Catholic Church's Atlanta province have written to members of Congress asking them to focus on comprehensive immigration reform. The letter dated Nov. 20 said immigration is "a moral concern impacting the human dignity and human rights of every person." The bishops said they are "particularly distressed by the recent tragedies of our brothers and sisters who are faced with the escalation in deportation enforcement in our states. The drumbeat of dehumanizing rhetoric constantly threatens the peace and well-being of our communities, causing an increase in suffering and fear among some of the most vulnerable ones." Signing the letter were Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Bishops Robert J. Baker of Charleston, S.C., J. Kevin Boland of Savannah, Ga., Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., and Peter J. Jugis of Charlotte, N.C.

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