Justice for immigrants; a journey of hope

The meetings will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3231 North Fourteenth Street, Dodge City, and Saturday, Feb. 25 at Saint John Parish Center, on Main Street in Spearville. A registration form can be found on Page 3.

"…Many good people hold strong feelings and attitudes about immigration," wrote the Catholic Bishops of Arizona in their recently released pastoral letter on migration. "Often times their opinions are stated with great emotion and passion. They at times have a negative view of immigrants … and pose challenging questions:

"‘Why don’t these immigrants enter the United States legally? Don’t we need to control our borders to keep out terrorists? Why doesn’t Mexico find jobs for its own people? Don’t immigrants take resources and jobs that … American citizens need? Why is the Church involved in political issues like immigration?’"

In the midst of such strong emotion, the question remains as to whether or not a discussion of immigration can be guided by a sense of justice as proclaimed by the prophets and the Lord Jesus in the Gospels.

"Instead of fear," Bishop Ronald Gilmore asks, "can such a discussion find its ground in the dignity of the human person? Instead of hostility, can a discussion be inspired by Christian charity and compassion for the poor?"

The Bishops of the United States believe that it is possible to have a discussion guided by a sense of justice, grounded in the dignity of the human person and inspired by love.

"They believe that this can be done while still responsibly protecting the nation from any terrorist threat," said Father John Fahey Guerra, C.Ss.P., director of the Hispanic Ministry Office of the Diocese of Dodge City.

Debbie Snapp, program director for Catholic Social Service, stressed that the bishops "have invited Catholics and other people of goodwill to enter into this discussion as we look to a comprehensive reform of immigration policy in the United States."

The Justice for Immigrants Campaign seeks to initiate such a discussion in dioceses throughout the United States, so that "the voice of the Church may ring through the emotion, fear and hostility which has become so prevalent today," Bishop Gilmore said.

The first step of the campaign seeks to inform Catholics about Church teaching on migration and immigrants.

"By doing this," Father Fahey Guerra said, "we will create the political will for positive immigration reform."

The Diocese of Dodge City has already begun to implement the national initiative on immigration reform. On Nov. 8 the priests of the diocese gathered at the cathedral to enlighten their minds and hearts on immigrants and immigration reform. The priests carefully considered the issues through the use of scripture and Catholic social teaching.

"The Campaign will help us create something new for immigrants and for positive immigration reform," Bishop Gilmore said. "Can we have a discussion on immigration? We in the Dodge City diocese answer with an emphatic, yes!"

Justicia Para los Inmigrantes; Una Jornada de Esperanza

Cada vez que empiece una conversación acerca de la inmigración o de los inmigrantes rápidamente se vuelve una discusión con fuertes emociones, temor o una hostilidad hacia los inmigrantes. En estos día se nos hace fácil preguntar, ¿Es posible tener una conversación en este país acerca de la inmigración y de los inmigrantes sin caer de nuevo en el coraje, el miedo o el odio? ¿Será posible tenerla pero guiada por un sentido de la justicia que proclamaron Jesús y los profetas? ¿Será posible examinar este asunto pero fundados en la enseñanza de la iglesia acerca de la dignidad de la persona? ¿Será hablar de ella pero inspirados por el amor y la compasión hacia los pobres del mundo?

Los Obispos de los Estados Unidos piensan que sí, esta conversación está posible pero tenemos que informarnos primeramente. La campaña "Justicia Para Los Inmigrantes" tratará de informar a los católicos y otras personas de buena voluntad la sabiduría de las escrituras, la enseñanza de la iglesia para que brote el amor hacia los inmigrantes.

Esta campaña se inició con una asamblea de los sacerdotes y continuará con dos más juntas de laicos y religiosas de la diócesis. Estamos cumpliendo con la primera etapa de la campaña que es educar el público, especialmente a los católicos acerca de la enseñanza de la iglesia de la inmigración de los inmigrantes. Queremos hacer eso para crear la voluntad política para una reforma de la leyes migratorias.

Las próximas dos juntas estarán el 4 de febrero de 2006 en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Seguiremos eso con otra el 25 de febrero de 2006 en la iglesia de San Andrés de Wright. Estas dos juntas estarán en ingles.

¿Es posible tener una conversación acerca de la inmigración? El pueblo de la diócesis de Dodge City dice con mucho entusiasmo que ¡sí!