Cardinal Mahony criticizes Arizona immigration bill

Cardinal Mahony criticizes Arizona immigration bill

www.latimes.com

Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony lambasted legislation passed Monday by Arizona lawmakers that would crack down on illegal immigrants, likening it to "German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques" that compelled people to turn each other in.
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The Arizona legislation, which has yet to be signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, would make it a crime to be in the state illegally and require law enforcement officers to check the legal status of those they suspect are undocumented. The legislation would also bar people from soliciting work or hiring workers under certain circumstances, a provision aimed

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I believe in this case that the Cardinal has overstepped his authority, and in fact, risks having the tax-exempt status of his diocese taken away. Furthermore, the bill does NOT do what he suggested it does. Of course, it is understandable WHY he did it, as his archdiocese is nearly 70% Latino.
Although I strongly support freedom of speech for everyone, including of course, religious leaders, I believe he should not have delved into this issue.

www.latimes.com
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reply to post by ProfEmeritus

The Arizona legislation, which has yet to be signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, would make it a crime to be in the state illegally and require law enforcement officers to check the legal status of those they suspect are undocumented. The legislation would also bar people from soliciting work or hiring workers under certain circumstances,

Isn't this already Federal law? If it isn't, why isn't it? If they are here illegally, they should be thrown out. No discussion.

We are going to go down in history as the dumbest group of people who ever existed on the face of the Earth.

reply to post by ProfEmeritus


I have to admit that I know next to nothing about this bill. I also have to admit that if a catholic cardinal opposed it, I'd lean toward supporting it...

The Catholic Church has a history of getting involved with the illegal immigration issue and sticking their noses in government affairs. As a Catholic I find it embarrassing that the Catholic Church not only supports pedophile priests but openly advocates political platforms. Church and state are ment to be seperate.

You see way back when the Catholic Church noticed that their pews were getting emptier and emptier and so they decided to pick up the cause of amnesty for the illegal immigrants (most of whom are Hispanics whom are usually extremely religious) so the Catholic Church imported all these illegal immigrants to fill their pews and coffers. Now they need more.

There are an awful lot of Catholics crossing that border. I wonder if the poor Cardinal worries his pocket might take a hit.

I am still amazed at the high percentage of people who can't seem to
understand the concept of "illegal". What is so hard to grasp about
that simple word? Illegal is illegal. Don't some people have any idea what
that is all about? It doesn't matter if the Catholic church is made up of
majority Latino, illegal is illegal. Look up the word in the dictionary if
you can get past the instructions on how to use it, and try to see what
the term means. And then get over it. This country needs to seriously
start enforcing our border laws just like most other countries do. Try to
waltz into China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, or even Mexico and you will
be met with fierce resistance and then hauled off to jail. No questions
asked. Plan on spending a lengthy time behind bars. And don't expect
free everything just because you cross our border into the US. I am
sick and tired of paying for these "illegals". geeeesh !!

Could be the cardinal is supporting it because the catholic base is shifting to hispanic members...they have to get their money somewhere, right?

In my view, they have no right to make moral judgements about anything. They must first clean their own house and they have been loathe to do that so far.

reply to post by wiseone11


You are spot on. Last year I was in Italy and went to hear the Pope's Wednesday speach. They do this deal where a number of Cardnals come out and welcome visitors, the vast majority were from organized groups. The auditorium is large, probably sits 2000 folks and it was about 1/2 filled. At least 2/3 of the folks there were Hispanic and most of them from Central America and Mexico.

reply to post by ProfEmeritus


So the roman catholic cardinal is objecting to what is done in one of our US states. When he should be checking to make sure none of his preists are doing the alter boys.

Great Post and great concise comments, endtime, wiseone, chris and others. You are spot on and beat me to it.

Immigration is about the Votes and filling the Catholic churches(Money$)!

reply to post by endtimer

This country needs to seriously start enforcing our border laws just like most other countries do.

I fully agree with that. However, that is a discussion for another thread. My purpose for this thread was to discuss the fact that the cardinal, imo, violated the agreement that allows churches to maintain tax-free status.