WASHINGTON (CNS) — While most U.S. bishops have not publicly addressed comments from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump regarding immigration, a popular U.S. cardinal and adviser to the pope said he is worried about such rhetoric.
Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley directly addressed the issue July 17 when he answered a question by Irish media: “Are you worried about Donald Trump’s simplistic solutions at all?”
“I worry about his rhetoric,” said the cardinal in response to the question by a reporter during an interview with Raidio Teilifis Eireann. “It’s very easy to stir up resentment and to blame groups of people.”
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The U.S. Catholic bishops, citing the Gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger,” have long supported comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship, especially for those immigrants already in the country.
When announcing his candidacy for president June 16, 2015, Trump famously said that the U.S. has become “a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” while referring to immigrants.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” he said. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and they tell us what we’re getting.”
He added that, “They’re sending us, not the right people. It’s coming from more than Mexico, it’s coming from all over South and Latin America and it’s coming probably … from the Middle East … and it’s gotta stop and it’s gotta stop fast.”
Shortly after that speech, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas, wrote in a July 2015 blog about immigrant bashing of the past, including in the form of nativism, which instills a fear of losing “American values and traditions … by immigrants who were considered inferior mentally and culturally.” The Irish-born bishop said that in the past “anti-immigration laws were enacted against the Chinese, Irish, German, Italian and Eastern European immigrants,” who “were vilified as sub-human, ne’er-do-wells and drunkards incapable of productive citizenship.”
In his recent interview, Cardinal O’Malley, too, recalled how the Irish in the United States were the ones blamed for the economic problems of the country at one point. But the cardinal said that instead of looking and finding blame for a country’s problems, “we need to take care of one another.”
“We need to be able to work together as a community of nations to deal with the reasons that all of this movement of people takes place,” he said. “Very often, wars or economic injustice or oppression, causes people to make the life-changing decision to abandon everything that is familiar to them and go off to another country.”
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This year, most bishops, while refraining from addressing Trump’s words directly, have focused on recognizing the contributions of immigrants or emphasizing Bible teaching about welcoming the stranger.
In Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez celebrated a July 17 Mass for immigrants.
“We pray for immigration reform in our country, for our elected officials and for people all over the world that they open their hearts to the immigrants who come to their countries,” Archbishop Gomez said.
Cardinal O’Malley affirmed the call of other bishops in the U.S. to work for “just immigration laws and a way of dealing with immigration that would not dehumanize people.”
Immigrants, he said, need to be seen as a resource and not as a burden.
“Countries have to learn to see them that way,” he told Irish media.
And in that sense, the U.S. has an easier task before it than Europe. Europe, he said, has a greater challenge because often people’s identity has been a shared history, a shared ethnicity, a shared religion.
“We’ve never had that in the United States. We’ve always had a collection of people from all over, every language, every religion, every race. But this is what the mission of the church must be: to bring people together to help recognize that we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.”
In the document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” the U.S. bishops say that “the Gospel mandate to ‘welcome the stranger’ requires Catholics to care for and stand with newcomers, authorized and unauthorized, including unaccompanied immigrant children, refugees and asylum-seekers, those unnecessarily detained, and victims of human trafficking.”
It says that while nations have a right to control their borders and maintain rule of law, that must be “pursued in a just and humane manner.”
“Comprehensive reform is urgently necessary to fix a broken immigration system,” the document says “and should include a broad and fair legalization program with a path to citizenship; a work program with worker protections and just wages; family reunification policies; access to legal protections, which include due process procedures; refuge for those fleeing persecution and violence; and policies to address the root causes of migration.”
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As a Catholic I am appalled at the Bishops’ acquiescence in Trump’s election.
He spewed forth hatred of blacks, Hispanics, Latin Americans, prisoners of war, the LGBT community, the handicapped, women, etc. He repeatedly lied about obvious statements that were recorded. Yet, somehow he was acceptable? How can Catholics cheer the election of someone who publicly shamed and laughed at a handicapped man? Why is it once that children are born it’s a positive to deny them healthcare, food and shelter?
Where in the gospels does it say we should hate everyone who is unlike ourselves? Haven’t the bishops read the parable of the Good Samaritan? Yes it was about helping someone who was despised by the community. It was about charity–according to the gospels, charity is the most importanat virtue. Somehow a candidate who hated everyone is considered acceptable? Where are their morals?
I am really concerned and frightened with the tone of his lashing out against people who are disabled, nationalities and religions. How far have we come? Is this a country who will back this man who is spitting out so much hatred? Is it because this is what America really feels and are backing him because he is stupid enough to say it publicly? Dear God help us all. We must pray and pray hard.
I wonder, with regard to earlier immigrants who experienced serious prejudice, how many came “illegally?”
How many arrived in waves of tens of thousands, with no medical examination, no vetting of any kind,
bringing with them political vendettas spawned in countries where Christians are currently crucified, women
are treated worse than cattle, and children are forced into sexual slavery? Were tens of thousands of unaccompanied
children rushed across our borders, unchecked for disease, and disbursed immediately to unsuspecting and uninformed
cities and towns across the nation?
My guess is that the Chinese, Irish, German, Italian and Eastern European immigrants mentioned in these
statements, arrived under different circumstances, were at least somewhat “vetted,” and did not harbor only bad thoughts
about the United States of America. Oh, and they arrived at a time in our history when we had an existing population of approximately 200,000,000….LESS than we have today.
Where is the outrage and “worry” about VP KAINE ? Pro abortion, Muslim sympathizer, first class liar. Where is the outrage about Hillary ? A felon running for POTUS? Trump not racist. That’s the media’s proparganda. Where is the worst about O’Malley ?
I voted for Trump in the Texas primary and plan to vote for him in November. By the way, I’m one of those many Americans related to someone who was raped and murdered by an illegal during a home invasion — an illegal who supposedly had NO PRIOR RECORD — ONE OF THOSE SUPPOSEDLY OH SO INNOCENT “VICTIMS” OF US MIGRATION LAWS. BTW I’ve been long opposed to illegals, not just because that happened. This “wave” of immigration, as any true American knows, is not comparable to those in the past. These people are refusing to learn to language, to assimilate, to obey migration laws, it shows no sign of stopping, and their countries of origin — ex. Mexico — aid and abet the predatory migration/invasion as a means of attacking this country.
How about the cardinal worrying about Catholics who vote and continue to vote for radical pro abortion candidates? How about that Cardinal. You all have been silent for over 40 years and that is why we got Obama and probably Hillary. I am so fed up with our Church leaders. My grandparents came here legally Cardinal and did it the right way. Unreal. So many Catholics including the clergy have been compliment in the 60 million unborn lives sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. Any wonder why the largest group of Catholics are those who left?
As a Catholic, I find it extremely troublesome that Cardinal O’Malley and other Catholic bishops feel they can criticize Donald Trump for his stand on upholding the law by protecting the American people from the invasion of people who refuse to enter this country legally as my grandparents from Poland and Ireland did. As to the preeminent issue for every practicing Catholic, protecting the lives of the pre born, I hear no condemnation from Cardinal O’Malley for the strong pro abortion beliefs of Mrs. Clinton and her so called Catholic running mate Governor Tim Kaine. Gov. Kaine has a 100% rating from NARAL
There wasn’t anything inflammatory in Mr. Trumps remarks about immigration. As a life long Catholic, I do
see a problem with the bishops.
Your Excellancy: I would be more worried about the number of abortions that will increase.
You cannot play both sides of the fence.
What about the threat we face from terrorism. Should we not maintain order and make sure we are not infiltrated by various groups. If you knew there were thieves and murderers in your neighborhood would you not take precautions and lock the door and ask for security? I heard MrTrump say illegal immigrants need to come in legally. He is for legal immigration. People who come illegally cannot be vetted. We are facing serious threats. Do the Cardinals and Bishops see what is going on in Europe? I think the church needs to address these issues. Christians in the Middle East are being slaughtered. Seriously the Church should address this. Everyone wants peace and love but if people are coming to kill and behead people we need to be firm and take every precaution to put a stop to this including more prayers and rosaries. Donald trump represents strength and firmness and that is what these terrorists need. Weakness and kindness makes them stronger.
We are very worried about: O’Malley, Wuerl, DiLorenzo, Cupich, Gomez, and a host of other “Shepherds?” We are also quite concerned about some remarks of Pope Francis
and wondering what St. Ignatius thinks about some of his american Jesuits and universities. SCHISM?????????????? Signed, American Catholic Families – hanging on with HOPE ETERNAL.
Our immigration laws were working. Allowing just anyone to come here is suicide and does not make any sense at all. What does it say to the people who migrate to the United States legally? We already have too many criminals and unwanted people here. How can they possibly learn the English language and find work. Now we have to take care of them. I’m sure that the wealthy won’t be doing it.
Sorry, folks, saying that we should let all of the illegals stay here, and we pay for them to live in our country is not only expensive, but dangerous. Look what is happening now!
In terms of moral gravity, the issue of immigration is far from the top in this year’s election. Of course, we cannot discuss issues such as abortion, gay “marriage”, transgenderism, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, support for radical Islamic groups that persecute Christians and the like because they reflect poorly on Philadelphia’s preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton, and/or expose the fact that many Philly Catholics place their politics ahead of their faith. However, I would like to point out that the Cardinal’s concerns over Trump’s statements on immigration, while ignoring these other objective evils, is the equivalent of being concerned over a flare up on the backyard barbecue while your house is burning down. The first is a distraction. The second is a life-threatening crisis.
There are some things about Trump that raise concerns for serious Catholics- that is undeniable. However, EVERYTHING about Clinton raises concerns for serious Catholics- that is also undeniable.
While Cardinal O’Malley is worrying about Donald Trump’s rhetoric he might pay attention to some of Hillary Clinton’s comments. Hillary has said that the Catholic Church is wrong specifically on it’s teachings about marriage (birth control, abortion, etc.). The Catholic vote was in part responsible for the election, twice, of Barack Obama and it is poised again to put Hillary Clinton (in the White House). I understand that a vote for Donald Trump is a vote for the lesser of two evils but that may be what is necessary to get the nation out of this mess we are in. Any Catholic, clergy, religious or lay person, who supports Hillary Clinton is on an expressway to Hell.
Though I don’t agree with everything Trump has stated, we do need to control our borders and restrict from entry those who mean harm to our country. We should not overwhelm the taxpayer who have to pay the bills for all the services provided to illegal immigrants. In addition I hope that the Church leadership would speak out vociferously about the anti-Catholic agenda that Hillary and the Democrats are promoting. Their stated goals scares me a lot more than some of Trump’s ill advised statements. Obama’s agenda was anti-Catholic yet there was an eerie silence from our leadership
Is the Cardinal concerned about the pro abortion Democrat Vice presidential nominee??
The essence of needed change in the United States is comprehensive immigration reform which addresses legitimate entry, criminals versus true escapes from oppression, immigrants accept assimilation as Americans, fair share payment of taxes to pay for the benefits received, register for the draft, etc. or accept entry in Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates, Dubai etc)
The real problem is many Catholics are not informed and think that Hillary is a good Presidential Candidate and that her VP is also a good candidate and is a Catholic. They are not being instructed at the pulpit of the gravity of Abortion and other matters and of the background of the Democratic Candidate, and the desire to eliminate and further demolish the Judeao Christian Foundation of our Nation. For more years of Obamacare? Will all Catholic Hospitals have to close due to what is happening in California with Obamacare obligating the health plans in Catholic Institutions to offer contraceptives and then have us pay with tax money for abortions!
Why aren’t they so worried about Hillary Clinton being the most pro-abortion candidate ever, who was the first candidate to be endorsed by planned parenthood, and who vowed to work on overturning the Hyde amendment. I guess that doesn’t matter to them. BTW someone should remind them that most abortions are performed on blacks and other minorities. Apparently black baby lives don’t matter to these holy cardinals and bishops.
What this cardinal is saying is not Catholic Social Doctrine but a clever twisting of it into leftist/one-world-order ideology. Trump has it essentially right. We do NOT have to sit by and watch our nation and its culture and people be destroyed, so that the Socialist revolution may go forward.
I too am worried about Trump’s talk about immigrants and I think many are. I am baffled however about the silence by bishops with regard to Mrs. Clinton’s rabid pro-death platform. I have yet to hear one comment by any member of our clergy about her unrelenting pro-choice policies. Her VP pick is called a “devout” Catholic by the media, but he chooses to support issues that are not in keeping with our churches teachings on life and last night a priest gave the invocation at the DNC’s convention leading most Catholics to assume the Church supports the Dems platforms. This is very confusing and troubling to me.
So what to do? Do we dump Trump (who is so far only rhetoric) and vote for a known deceiver, liar, and one who is dangerously careless (according to the FBI) and who will appoint supreme court judges that will protect abortion and every other evil (legal) vice known to society. To me the “rhetoric” is still not factual actions, it’s just talk and even so, it does not seem as horrible as the known facts about the other choice. Maybe the good bishops should be more supportive of the “better choices” during the primaries so we wouldn’t be in this dilemma. After all Trumps “rhetoric” also included getting rid of “political correctness”, giving pastors the ability to speak openly, and not hindering our religious freedom. It’s better rhetoric than we get from Trumps opponent.
Your Excellency, you worry about the immigration issue, but not about the socialist reteric from the democratic black lives matter movement?, or the unending funding of abortion, with euthenasia surfacing, and the constant push for sexual identity confusion?, and the normalcy of homosexual practices?
You appear to be warped in your concerns.
Sure I’d like to know how many young Muslim middle-eastern men and gang members from Mexico or central America that the good Cardinal will be inviting to stay with him in the rectory/mansion whatever?
It is a lack of love for your family dependents and those under your protection, to invite “into your home” people who are taught that it it is a good and proper course of action, to rape (all), castrate, murder and sell you and your family into slavery.
Authorized and unauthorized!?! Great job on the word semantics! Try legal and illegal! Are these priests saying it’s okay to illegally enter a sovereign nation and then these people are to be welcomed!?! Liberal priests and bishops who push for this kind of nonsense should’ve held accountable. How many illegals are ISIS bent on killing Christians! Don’t be irresponsible! Don’t put your heads in the sand! They may be coming for you next!
Maybe Bishops and Cardinals need to be a little more concerned with so called Catholic politicians who support abortion (even though personally against it-hypocrite) , same sex marriage, Roe vs Wade, and a host of other social issues that are directly against Church teaching. This is the scandal. Rhetoric is one thing but “By their fruits you will know them” .
The cardinal should be more concerned for the millions of future Americans who will be aborted with a Clinton victory.
Pray & fast for peace in our nation and for our Immigrant Brothers & Sisters, encouraged by Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop Gomez & other US Bishops.