Catholic Bishops: Trump's immigration policies are immoral

[Honeycombe8]

Leading US Catholic bishops have escalated their criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies, calling new asylum-limiting rules "immoral" and rhetorically comparing the crackdown to abortion by saying it is a "a right to life" issue.

One bishop from the US-Mexico border region reportedly suggested "canonical penalties" - which could refer to withholding the sacrament of Communion - for Catholics involved in implementing the Trump policies.

The comments came as the US Conference of Catholic Bishops - the organising body of bishops - gathered for a biannual meeting in Fort Lauderdale. The topics of migration and asylum have long been a focus for the US church; more than 50 per cent of US Catholics under the age of 30 are Latinos.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-immigration-catholic-bishops-moral-us-mexico-border-a8399016.html

AND

Conservative religious leaders who have long preached about the sanctity of the family are now issuing sharp rebukes of the Trump administration for immigration policies that tear families apart or leave them in danger.

The criticism came after recent moves by the administration to separate children from their parents at the border, and to deny asylum on a routine basis to victims of domestic abuse and gang violence.

Some of the religious leaders are the same evangelicals and Roman Catholics who helped President Trump to build his base and who have otherwise applauded his moves to limit abortion and champion the rights of religious believers.

The Rev. Franklin Graham, a son of the famed evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham and an outspoken defender of President Trump, said in an interview on Tuesday on the Christian Broadcasting Network, “I think it’s disgraceful, it’s terrible to see families ripped apart and I don’t support that one bit.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/us/trump-immigration-religion.html

Supporters of Trump's admin. on immigration seem to be narrowing down. Maybe this is a good sign, that some are beginning to say no, this is immoral, this is disgraceful.

[msongs]

1. bla bla bla what are they going actually DO about it? nt

[Wellstone ruled]

2. I ask this question,

So what are you so called Religious People going to do about it?

[saidsimplesimon]

3. Pope Francis,

Can you survive a challenge from your conservative base? Will you speak truth to power or fade into the shadows of the
Vatican? Tell US, do you stand with the cause of the poor and oppressed, or are you just another empty vessel?

[wonkwest]

4. He has made comments on the issue

Did a quick google because I was curious, too.

In a message to a colloquium marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Vatican, Francis said that the fundamental rights and dignity of immigrants “need to be protected and defended.”

“I would like to point out that the issue of migration is not simply one of numbers, but of persons, each with his or her own history, culture, feelings and aspirations,” the pope said.

“These persons, our brothers and sisters, need ‘ongoing protection,’ independently of whatever migrant status they may have,” he continued.

In addition to migrant children and families, Francis also said particular concern must be shown to those who are victims of human trafficking rings, and those displaced due to conflicts, natural disasters and persecution.

“All of them hope that we will have the courage to tear down the wall of ‘comfortable and silent complicity’ that worsens their helplessness; they are waiting for us to show them concern, compassion and devotion,” he said.

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/06/14/pope-francis-calls-for-protection-for-immigrant-children-and-their-families/

[saidsimplesimon]

5. The tried and true,

"The power of the Word is greater than the power of the sword." Speak up Francis or set your congregation free.

[Honeycombe8]

6. Thx. I thought I remembered the Pope saying something.

He said, “All of them hope that we will have the courage to tear down the wall of ‘comfortable and silent complicity’ that worsens their helplessness; they are waiting for us to show them concern, compassion and devotion,” he said.

I noticed the play on the word "wall." Clever. And I like his warning about being silent, which is to be complicit.

I do think that speaking out is the first step. That shouldn't be the only step. But it is worthwhile to start with speaking out and speaking up. That's what some religious leaders are doing.