Bishops in three states call for debate, action on immigration

Published: 2007-11-28

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Three Los Angeles auxiliary bishops announced Nov. 27 that the Los Angeles Archdiocese's annual procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 2 would be part of a statewide call for action on comprehensive immigration reform issued by the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. The conference issued a statement the same day saying the U.S. government has a right to control its borders and enforce laws but also said the human rights of undocumented people must be respected and they need an opportunity to legalize their status. Meanwhile across the country, the Catholic bishops of Maryland urged the 1 million Catholics in their state to engage in a faith-filled dialogue on immigration. Parishes were sent information about potential local, state and national legislation that might arise on immigration issues. In Tulsa, Okla., Bishop Edward J. Slattery issued a pastoral outlining the diocese's four-point action plan to respond to a new state statute on illegal immigration described as one of the harshest in the nation. The plan calls, in part, for people to have equal access to all Catholic programs regardless of their immigration status and pledges to provide legal help to those who want to establish or maintain their legal residence in the U.S.

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