Catholics and Immigration?

Question

Why do some Catholics support illegal immigration when the church's social teaching disagrees with this position?

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2241
"Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2429
"Everyone has the right of economic initiative; everyone should make legitimate use of his talents to contribute to the abundance that will benefit all and to harvest the just fruits of his labor. He should seek to observe regulations issued by legitimate authority for the sake of the common good."

Answer 1

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2240-2242 also teaches:

Christians reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.

The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel.

We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.

The Catholic Church supports human rights and humane immigration law, not crime.

You shall not oppress an alien; you well know how it feels to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9)

The émigré Holy Family of Nazareth, fleeing into Egypt, is the archetype of every refugee family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, living in exile in Egypt to escape the fury of an evil king, are, for all times and all places, the models and protectors of every migrant, alien and refugee of whatever kind who, whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, is forced to leave his native land, his beloved parents and relatives, his close friends, and to seek a foreign soil. (Exsul Familia, Pope Pius XII, 1952)

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" (The Statue of Liberty)

The earth, this country, everything we have are gifts from God, which we are called to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Liberal Catholics evidently don't know much about what the bible says. Secure borders are very important to God as example shows:
Exodus 23:31 (Whole Chapter) "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea [ Hebrew Yam Suph; that is, Sea of Reeds ] to the Sea of the Philistines, [ That is, the Mediterranean ] and from the desert to the River. [ That is, the Euphrates ] I will hand over to you the people who live in the land and you will drive them out before you.

If the bishops had any moral credibility after the pedophile scandal they would speak with a louder voice. But the hard truth is that had it not been for immigration the Catholic Church in America would have shrunk.

Answer 3

Because so many illegal immigrants are Catholic.


VLR

Answer 4

Bigotry is a mental and social disease.

Answer 5

ILLEGALS and their supporters like to "pick and choose' which scriptures and LAWS they want to obey!!!

Answer 6

Catholics support all kinds of race !!!!!!!!!! DON'T JUDGE GODS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Catholics are white,black., , latinos ect. God will jude you so don't judge anyone!!! WHO do you think you are dumb ******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!