Spotlight on Immigration

In a January 5th editorial in the Baltimore Sun the new Archbishop of Baltimore, Edwin F. O'Brien takes up the issue of immigration. I was very encouraged to see the Archbishop wade into such a critical issue. He stressed the need for quick action on a comprehensive immigration reform bill, though he acknowledged that the economy is clearly the number one concern of the moment. He indicated his support for the proposal passed by the senate which failed in the House prior to the election. The goals of the Archbishop are in line with that failed legislation including a path to citizenship, a guest worker program and tougher border security. His concerns are for the dignity of the individual and the welfare of families, especially ensuring that families be able to stay together if at all possible.

What a great issue for the Church to get involved in. I am reminded of Lawrence Cardinal Sheehan addressing city government on the need for open housing legislation for African Americans in the late 60's or early 70's. The Church stood for the rights of people, and for ensuring that the poor and oppressed were treated with justice and fairness. Immigration is such an issue. The fact that it involves large numbers of Hispanics, who in large measure tend to be Catholic, is interesting, but standing up for the rights of the oppressed is no less important whether it involves Church members or not. In the case of Cardinal Sheehan he was actually challenged by rank and file Catholics who were upset by his stance. African Americans constituted only a small percentage of church membership. In this case the demagoguery of the likes of CNN's Lou Dobbs and others, who may have been much too successful in killing solid immigration reform need to be challenged. I applaud the Archbishop for raising his voice against those who spew hate against those different from themselves, and for recognizing the need for a commonsense and just approach to dealing with real border issues and the human needs of people and families who find themselves in our midst.

I am particularly heartened to find the Archbishop acknowledging the importance of issues other than abortion. Too often, especially during the recent campaign, we hear that abortion supercedes all other issues. Nothing else matters. But it does. People who are unable to feed their living children matter. Bombs dropping on women and children in Gaza matter. Injustices done to the powerless by people in power matter. The fact that the Archbishop was able to recognize that economic concerns deserve to be the new administration's top priority is refreshing. Putting immigration reform high on the list as well, without ever mentioning the abortion issue is truly positive.

I wanted to acknowledge the good work of the Archbishop on this issue. Archbishop O'Brien had a rather inauspicious beginning here in Baltimore when he abruptly removed a popular pastor just after he arrived on the scene. His actions since that time suggest that he has decided to be a good pastor to his flock rather than impress us with his ability to exercise the 'power of his office'. I believe that is a much more efficacious pattern of service, and I pray that it will continue. In the meantime I join with the Archbishop in encouraging the new administration to bring about comprehensive and equitable immigration reform as quickly as possible.