Priests pledge support for immigration reform

By Kerry Lester
Contributor

Nearly 60 Priests for Justice for Immigrants came to an Oct. 20 press conference in the chapel of Holy Name Cathedral to adovocate for comprehensive immigration reform.

The group, which is made up of 120 archdiocesan priests, discussed their concerns about the recently passed enforcement-only legislation that will adversely affect immigrants currently in the United States as workers, spouses and family members.

Father Larry Dowling, pastor of St. Denis Parish, made the event’s keynote address: a reading of four pledges that grew out of an initial meeting last Lent.

“We’ll accompany our undocumented brothers and sisters in their journeys to acknowledge that their status is the result of a long-broken immigration system. We will educate the people of our parishes through preaching and presentations. We also call for a suspension of any non-felony deportations that would separate families. A comprehensive immigration policy must be passed by Congress as 98,000 known and countless unknown families are at immediate risk,” he said.

The priests were given scrolls, written in English, Spanish and Polish, detailing the group’s efforts, to be posted in their respective parishes. Educational packages were also distributed to all archdiocesan parishes by the Office of Peace and Justice.

“Education in both heavily-immigrant and non-immigrant parishes is a vital part of this plan,” said Father Marco Mercado, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish and a core leader of Priests for Justice for Immigrants. Several workshops will be held for parishes that are largely untouched by the issue, and all parishes are asked to address the issue during Masses Oct. 29.

The group believes that legislation sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) largely supports their efforts.

While still acknowledging the need for border control, “this is a multi-layered issue that needs more than a wall. We’re asking the question, why do families need to split up?” said Father Ezekial Sanchez, pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven, Cicero.

A number of religious orders, such as the Clerics of St. Viator, are backing Priests for Justice for Immigrants efforts. “The Viatorian Provincial Council has expressed their full support,” Viatorian Father Corey Brost said.

A priest at heavily Hispanic St. Viator Parish, Brost said, “we need to stop the non-felony deportations now. This is inhumane and morally unjust.”

The group also has the support of Cardinal George and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has its own campaign, Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope.