Archbishop calls Catholics to welcome immigrants

The Archbishop of San Antonio says this immigration issue is not a battle for votes, but a battle for the soul of the America. DP

By Kevin Kelly, Catholic Key Associate Editor

catholickey.org: JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - An immigrant from Mexico himself, San Antonio Archbishop Jose H. Gomez admitted that he feels pain when he listens to the immigration debate.

While hearing those calls for demonizing "illegal" immigrants and demanding their immediate arrest and deportation, Archbishop Gomez still retains his optimism that fundamental Christian hospitality for the stranger will ultimately prevail, he told more than 600 Catholics gathered Oct. 4 at the state capitol for the annual Missouri Catholic Conference Assembly.

From the earliest days, Christianity has modeled hospitality, the archbishop said.

"From the beginning, there was something very different about Christians, something even their enemies couldn't help but notice and admire, no matter how reluctantly," he said.

Quoting Jesus in Matthew 25:35, Archbishop Gomez said it is "an original and central element" of Christianity to welcome the stranger.

"To be a Christian was to practice hospitality to the stranger," he said. "To be a Catholic is to be a man or woman who serves God in the poor, in the least of these. To be a Catholic is to be a person who welcomes a stranger in need," he said. "This is who we are. It is part of our original identity as Catholics, as Christians. We must defend the immigrant if we are to be worthy of the name Catholic."
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