Andrew Friedman

What comes around goes around

During the last presidential election, many Catholic leaders made headlines by suggesting that good Catholics should not vote for John Kerry because of his support for a woman's right to choose. Against accusations of partisan politics, many conservative commentators and politicians said that it was only natural for religious values to have an impact on our political decisions. They insisted that there was nothing inappropriate about the bishops' advocacy on behalf of their presidential candidate.

Today, Catholic leaders are again speaking out. This time, though, they are condemning Republican scapegoating of undocumented immigrants. They are standing up for an immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for 11 million people who are already living in the United States without their papers.

Suddenly, the Republicans have found religion. The New York Times wrote an article, Rift on Immigration Widens for Conservatives and Cardinals, in which New York Congressman Peter King has accused church leaders of "committing the sin of hypocrisy." Colorado Republican Tom Tancredo took issue with church leaders for "invoking God" when discussing immigration issues.

It looks like the Republicans are tasting the bitterness of a little domestic blowback. Let's hope that it helps promote an appreciation for the richness, hard work, value and culture that immigrants bring to this country. And to a just immigration reform bill.

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Posted at 8:19 AM, Mar 20, 2006 in Immigration
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