http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_24001034/el-paso-churches-join-border-prayer-services-immigration?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com
These
two articles discuss the critical role organized religion plays in the passage
of humane and comprehensive immigration reform. Several border diocese
bishops led a prayer service at the U.S./Mexico border in order to show their
support for immigration reform. Bishops from border communities in Texas,
New Mexico, and Mexico participated in the prayer service. At the
conclusion of the service, they made the following powerful statement, "I
commit to work for protection of all migrants, just immigration reform, the end
of gun trafficking, gun violence, and for the protection for all victims of gun
violence in our midst." The Catholic Church has been remarkably
consistent on the issue of just immigration reform. A cynical mindset would
argue that it makes financial sense for the Catholic Church to support
immigration reform; otherwise, ICE would be deporting their core constituency. I, however, believe that the Catholic
Church is becoming left of center in its positions on social and political
issues. The new Pope, with his
refreshing attitudes towards queers, abortion, and contraceptives, marks a new
turn for the Church and the people it has alienated for so long. Because so many Catholic Chicanas/os
reside in the El Paso area, the Church’s continuing support of comprehensive
immigration reform could help sway the attitudes of some who are currently in
support of the federal government’s hard line against undocumented
immigrants. Unfortunately, many in
El Paso harbor xenophobic, pro-deportation views. Perhaps if the Catholic Church continues to speak on behalf
of undocumented immigrants, some (not all, I realize) may be swayed towards the
side of compassion. The Church’s
denunciation of gun violence could also lead towards stricter gun enforcement. I realize that this is Texas, and guns
are a way of life for many, but I am optimistic that these types of prayer
services are the first step towards a more progressive Catholic Church. Next stop—nuns giving Mass and jota/o priests!
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