Blog Template Theology of the Body: The Catholic Perspective on Immigration

Thursday, July 26, 2007

The Catholic Perspective on Immigration


"The Church considers the problem of illegal migrants from the standpoint of Christ, who died to gather together the dispersed children of God (cf. Jn 11:52), to rehabilitate the marginalized and to bring close those who are distant, in order to integrate all within a communion that is not based on ethnic, cultural or social membership, but on the common desire to accept God's word and to seek justice. God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him (Acts 10:34-35). The Church acts in continuity with Christ's mission. In particular, she asks herself how to meet the needs, while respecting the law of those persons who are not allowed to remain in a national territory. She also asks what the right to emigrate is worth without the corresponding right to immigrate. She tackles the problem of how to involve in this work of solidarity those Christian communities frequently infected by a public opinion that is often hostile to immigrants." John Paul II, On Illegal Immigration.

Either re-read (ahem) Pope John Paul's Gaudium et Spes, or refer to this very very helpful index of posts, articles, and sources on point from the authors at Evangelical Catholicism. Essential reading for Christian Texans.