Cardinal Mahony says "defy law".

[Richard]

L.A. cardinal plans to defy illegals law
March 2, 2006


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles said yesterday that he would instruct his priests to defy a proposed federal law that would bar churches and others from giving aid to illegal aliens.
The U.S. House of Representatives included that ban in an immigration bill passed last year. The Senate Judiciary Committee is to begin marking up another immigration bill this week.
The legislation also would penalize social organizations and charitable groups that aid illegal aliens.
When asked whether he would be willing to go to jail for the stance, Cardinal Mahony said "yes" because "helping people in need were actions that are part of God's mercy."
Cardinal Mahony -- one of the most liberal U.S. Catholic prelates, who oversees an archdiocese of more than 4 million people -- used Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season yesterday to urge Catholics to "make room" for immigrants.
"Unless you are a Native American, everyone in here is the son or daughter of immigrants," said Cardinal Mahony during Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Cardinal Mahony told those attending Mass that he was not in favor of "unfettered immigration," but that the current system was inhumane and inefficient. He said stringent laws and government bureaucracy meant immigrants were often separated up to 15 years from family members trying to immigrate.
"We need reform that looks to family unification," he said. "What we have now is broken and invites violation."
U.S. Catholic bishops support a guest-worker program, legalizing undocumented aliens and more visas for migrants' families.
Cardinal Mahony has long advocated for immigrant rights and opposed the 1994 state proposition that tried to deny public benefits to illegal aliens. The proposition was approved by voters but struck down by federal courts as unconstitutional.

*************
Cardinal Mahony has characterized proponents of strict laws against illegal immigation as being "hysterical".

I don't think Cardinal Mahony can distinguish betwen legal immigration and illegal. I wonder if he has spoken out about the harsh treatment, by the Mexican govt, of aliens crossing the southern Mexican border, from Guatemala. into Mexico?

I find it ironic that the Cardinal would openly ask Catholics to defy federal law. I wonder if Catholics can also defy church law! Maybe the Church should consider amnesty for Catholics who use birth control methods. How about dispensation for parishioners who have philosophical differences with the Church's position on the abortion issue, and at least allow them to take communion.

Richard

[jbuck919]

Roger Mahony is widely considered a loose cannon within the Catholic Church, even by modern de facto latitudinarian standards. His detractors refer to the new cathedral of Los Angeles as the "Taj Mahony." (Actually, I am from the pics rather taken with the building and if I ever make it to that city would like to see it; nice organ, too). His stance on the matter of illegal immigrants is extremely controversial. In my opinion, he is taking advantage of his nearly invulnerable position (there aren't many cardinal archbishops of one of the greatest cities in the world in a country that puts clergy on a pedestal) to exploit a political agenda. I will not comment at this point on that agenda; others here are better informed than I am.

[Corlyss_D]

L.A. cardinal plans to defy illegals law
March 2, 2006


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles said yesterday that he would instruct his priests to defy a proposed federal law that would bar churches and others from giving aid to illegal aliens.

Not really surprising for two reasons: California is the US beachhead for liberation theology and it gets the Church headlines that don't mention pedophiles.

I find it ironic that the Cardinal would openly ask Catholics to defy federal law. I wonder if Catholics can also defy church law! Maybe the Church should consider amnesty for Catholics who use birth control methods. How about dispensation for parishioners who have philosophical differences with the Church's position on the abortion issue, and at least allow them to take communion.

[jbuck919]

I find it ironic that the Cardinal would openly ask Catholics to defy federal law. I wonder if Catholics can also defy church law! Maybe the Church should consider amnesty for Catholics who use birth control methods. How about dispensation for parishioners who have philosophical differences with the Church's position on the abortion issue, and at least allow them to take communion.

Mahony could not care less about church law with respect to the issues mentioned.

[Richard]

JBuck: "Taj Mahony"...I like it!

Corlyss: Yes, I agree, the illegal immigration issue does tend to put the pedophile issue on the back burner.

[Ralph]

Is it true that Mahony secretly converted to Judaism?

[Richard]

Is it true that Mahony secretly converted to Judaism?

A Jewish Cardinal? Well, considering that the founder of the Christian church was a Jew, I don't have a problem with that.

In fact, maybe a Jewish Cardinal would be better. Instead of getting involved with politics and the immigration issue, a Jewish Cardinal might be more involved with church business. Maybe he can circumcise every illegal crossing the border...that should keep 'em away.

[Ralph]

Is it true that Mahony secretly converted to Judaism?

A Jewish Cardinal? Well, considering that the founder of the Christian church was a Jew, I don't have a problem with that.

In fact, maybe a Jewish Cardinal would be better. Instead of getting involved with politics and the immigration issue, a Jewish Cardinal might be more involved with church business. Maybe he can circumcise every illegal crossing the border...that should keep 'em away.

*****

Well there was Cardinal Lustiger in France.

[pizza]

And don't forget St. Louis Cardinals Sam Fishburn and Ike Samuels!

[Ralph]

And don't forget St. Louis Cardinals Sam Fishburn and Ike Samuels!

*****

LOL!