Statement on the Present El Paso – Juarez Immigration Situation

6/27/2019

As a Catholic and Christian leader on the border, I am often called to be a doctor of the soul. Standing here at the US-Mexico border, how do we begin to diagnose the soul of our country?

A government and society which view fleeing children and families as threats; a government which treats children in US custody worse than animals; a government and society who turn their backs on pregnant mothers, babies and families and make them wait in Ciudad Juarez without a thought to the crushing consequences on this challenged city . . . This government and this society are not well. We suffer from a life-threatening case of hardening of the heart.

In a day when we prefer to think that prejudice and intolerance are problems of the past, we have found a new acceptable group to treat as less than human, to look down upon and to fear. And should they speak another language or are brown or black . . . well, it is that much more easy to stigmatize them.

Why can’t we put ourselves in their shoes? Because we have decided they are not our neighbors, we have decided that they are aliens and illegals. We think these parents simply have no right to save their children from violence or malnutrition. They have no right to a job or to support their families. They have no right to reunite with family.

For this heart-sick government and society, these people should have stayed home, given into hopelessness and watched helplessly as their children suffer. Would we rather they die on the banks of the Rio Grande than trouble us with their presence?

But we have not suffered the mistreatment meted out to them by those who represent our country. We haven’t really felt their hunger and cold. And it is not our children who will be denied food, water and tenderness tonight.

We Americans need our hearts checked. Our hearts have grown too cold and too hard and that bodes ill for the health of our nation.

In the America of today, is there no more Golden Rule? Have we forgotten the lessons of Scripture? Have we forgotten the commandment to love? Have we forgotten God?

But here on the border, he knocks. In the struggle for hope and freedom and family, he knocks. In the lives of Jackleyn and Felipe and Oscar and Valeria, he knocks. In our neighbors here today, he knocks. He knocks. He knocks. He knocks.

3 Comments

Ricardo Dominguez Jr.

10/3/2020 02:40:43 am

Most Reverent Bishop Mark S. D.D., I take issue with most of your main points in you blog entitled "Statement on the Present El Paso – Juarez Immigration Situation". Abortion is not equal to problems that you noted referenced social justice. Abortion is killing a human person. Bishop you give praise to the Biden-Harris Presidential candidates but they endorse abortion which is a greater sin than the lack of social justice. Please read the report attributed to Cardinal Raymond Burke as he calls out Biden as non catholic for Biden's actions. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-faith-ads-cardinal-not-a-catholic-in-good-standing.
Sen. Harris is even worse but equal to the Democratic leadership and most liberals. NY Gov. Como was jubilant when he signed into NY state law, the killing of new born babies if the mother so wished it. Killing has no equal. I encourage all to tune into EWTN and listen to Ftaher Spriker of the program Spriker Universe and Called to Communion by Dr. David Akers, I probably butchered the last names mention on the previous sentence. In conclusion, Our Country has never ever had Presidents that where sinless and yes our Country has a racial problem as well as a social justice problem. But we have come a long way since we kicked the Brits from our lands. My family has been the recipient of America's social programs, first living in Cd. Juarez, moving to El Chuco, going to school, serving our country in various capacities, relieving a VA Educational benefits, great medical care, public housing, technical training, Social Security Medicate, Medicaid, substance allowances, and many other American benefits. America has rebuilt Europe, Japan S Korea, is the primary source for many UN social programs, even though other third world countries steal that money. We have an Immigration law just like every other country, yes it needs to be updated but our national, state leaders don't have the guts to improve that law. Bishop, you mention the travesty of America not allowing children to illegally enter America. Some of those children are used/abused by those illegal aliens that try to circumvent our laws. I have many family member's that have become American citizens following our Laws. Instead of blaming America why not fix the source of the problem-the countries that send/flee. is America to become a haven for the world? Whs is going to pay for all the services that will be needed. Already the Democrats and weak Republican have added Trillion of dollars in debt. I thank you for reading my comments

6/27/2019

6/27/2019

Paul T. Smith

1/14/2021 11:28:12 am

Just read the above piece in "Give Us This Day," a daily Mass booklet. Bishop, as you say, you are in the "front lines." What are you actually doing? Do you have a proposal for the US? An idea to begin, even on just the El Paso level? A little less talk and more action comes to mind. This applies to you and to me, as well...............1/14/21

Justin Wells

9/11/2022 11:44:46 am

A few years has passed since you wrote this statement and a different administration is now in charge, however the immigration problem not just in Juarez-El Paso area, but along the south border is now worst than ever. The media is hidden it, because I have seen it myself. This is the time to speak up again without regard which political party is in control. We care about God’s children, we must reunite in prayer for this situation to end.

Statement on the Present El Paso – Juarez Immigration Situation

Leave a Reply.

Author

Archives

Categories