Catholic Bishops Speak Out on Behalf of Undocumented Immigrants

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Undocumented immigrants received the support of more than 30 bishops from the U.S. Roman Catholic Church on Monday, as the church leaders push for their protection and reform in immigration laws.

Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez and 32 colleagues released a three-page letter in which they address the immigration issue. The letter focuses on the hardships undocumented immigrants some times face in order to support their families.

Archbishop Garcia-Siller from the Archdiocese of Chicago directly addresses undocumented immigrants and their families, saying, "In your suffering we see the face of Jesus Christ."

The letter also refers to the economic crisis that is still gripping the U.S., and warns that it is wrong to place the blame on hard-working people who are exploited by being offered very low wages, poor working conditions and long working hours. "We will not find a solution to our problems by sowing hatred. We will find the solution by sowing a sense of solidarity among all workers and co-workers -- immigrants and citizens -- who live together in the United States," the bishops wrote.

Although they acknowledge in the letter that they do not have the support of the entire Catholic Church, they insist that they will continue fighting for undocumented immigrants, as they believe that basic human rights are also at stake.

"The lack of a just, humane and effective reform of immigration laws negatively affects the common good of the United States," and the bishops says in the letter, pledging to stand up to groups who oppose them.

The full three-page letter was published on the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas's website.