Being Catholic and Thoughts on Immigration

Today, I posted a comment on Facebook regarding a link about the Catholic position on the immigration issue (http://blog.archny.org/?p=652). As many of you may already know, I have long held the opinion that "illegals" should be immediately removed from our Country and that we should have a tougher screening process that included fortifying the borders, etc., etc. I was anti-immigrant without following the "rules" per sae. Oddly funny considering how I came to be in this Country, myself.

A quick history for those of you unaware:

I am of Hungarian heritage. My father and mother found out I was going to be born while living as teens in Hungary, then under Communist rule. My mother decided that she did not want her child to be raised in this environment. While my father initially recommended abortion, he eventually realized he wanted the same thing and together, they agreed to leave the country.

Now, leaving Hungary was forbidden without a temporary visa and certainly not allowed when a couple left in such a way. They always had to ensure that they had "incentive" for you to return. Leaving together would not have been allowed. They had to decide to leave without evening telling their parents, in order to protect them from the KGB that would inevitably end up at their doors. They snuck across the border in a small town during a festival where they escaped into the woods. Eventually, making their way to the Italian border. Had they been caught up to that point, they would have been shot on sight (my mother was 3 months pregnant with me at the time).

While crossing into Italy, they were caught by guards and picked up with a group of others. They feared the worst and thought for certain they were being turned in. Alas, they realized they were being transferred into a refugee camp in a town called, "Latina" just outside Rome. Hope was restored and their plight was not without success. Sadly, it would be months before they could contact anyone to let them know where they were and it broke my father's mother's heart into pieces. She never forgave my mother.

Eventually, I was born and we lived in the refugee camp until I was six (6) months old. At that time, we were accepted into the United States because we were coming from a country that was listed as one that oppressed its people, greatly. Therefore, our approval was much faster than those coming from other countries.

We came to the United States and my family continued to succeed - working from the ground up - and built a life that eventually led me to my husband and my life here in Oklahoma. I have been blessed by the opportunities afforded to me in this country and am grateful that Hungary was "on that list" which allowed us to come here so easily. Not all countries (such as Mexico) are afforded this same courtesy, however, and often are on "waiting lists" for ten (10), fifteen (15) and even twenty (20) years waiting for visas. Can you imagine having to wait for that long to enter a country where you knew you could help your family to survive???

Now, I continue with what I wrote on Facebook today and the view that has opened my eyes to the suffering and plight of others:

Recently (this year), I've been able to spend MUCH more time at Catholic Charities. As a result, God has opened my eyes to the truth of human dignity. When I realized that I was, in fact, going against God's Will and Christ's teachings, I was humbled and also, determined to change my heart, views as well as my outspoken opinion on the matter. Today, I have been given just that kind of opportunity.

You can see the link on my Wall at Facebook or, click on the link I provided at the top of this post, but below I am also providing to you the comment that I shared along with the link. Peace be with you.

MY COMMENT:

I used to feel very strongly about the immigration issue and thought that we should send them all back and secure the borders and make tougher laws, etc., etc., regardless of what led them here (after all, I am a "rules" follower).

God is amazing in the way He can work on your heart - even those hardened towards particular issues. I've spent a lot of time volunteering at Catholic Charities this year and it's opened my eyes to the wrong I was committing in my heart by thinking this way. Essentially, I was going against our very Catholic beliefs because I WAS DECIDING who was "deserving" of dignity. Who am I to decide such a thing? Can I say to those people that they deserve less because "Oh well, it sucks that you were born in a corrupt country with no hope of properly providing for your family." When I realized I could NEVER say this to another human being, I realized the error of my ways.

Sure, there are criminals that take advantage, there will ALWAYS be those that do. We cannot base our laws upon the few that will corrupt it and go against it anyway. If we are to do that and succumb to that way of thinking, then how can we stand against abortion? After all, isn't one of the arguments that there will be those who perform back-alley abortions if the law is passed against abortion?

We are called by Christ to extend the hand of mercy to all of His people. We should allow those who legitimately want to be here to work and provide and participate to do so. If we are so worried about crime, then simply invoke a better criminal check process. Don't make these poor and desperate people wait years for visas when they need help NOW. ... No, we need the system to embrace its founding principles...that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...What ever happened to "Bring us your tired, your poor..." that was one of the reasons our Great Nation grew to such heights of success? What happened to caring for those whom the world had rejected?

[This last paragraph - beginning with "As for basing our support..." - was in response to someone who literally chose his support for the border law based solely upon the fact that he did not like the way this particular priest handled the abuse scandal, which is what led to my response here.]

As for basing our support of something upon a single man and NOT upon the teachings of Christ, well, the error there is clear. If we place our faith into the hands of a mere mortal man, then we will, indeed, be failed time and time again. However, if we realize that our faith is to be placed into Christ's hands, then we will always be choosing the right path.

Peace be with you.

I hope that my words may cause you to pause and think upon these things...to even pray upon these things. Let us not turn our backs on anyone in need. It is not for us to judge their circumstances, but rather, for us to help all in the name of Christ.

Glory be to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.