Welcome Syrian refugees, Cardinal McCarrick urges
December 11, 2015
Writing in The Hill—the most popular Capitol Hill publication—Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has called upon members of Congress to welcome Syrian refugees into the United States.
On November 19, the House of Representatives, in a 289-137 vote, passed the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, which would require more rigorous investigation of each refugee from Iraq or Syria who would enter the United States. House and Senate leaders are deciding whether to include the measure in a major appropriations bill.
“The strong opposition to Syrian refugees coming to the United States is an expression of the fear Americans justifiably feel from the horror of the Paris attacks,” wrote the retired Archbishop of Washington. “In times such as these, we must be careful not to let our fear cloud our judgment as to the best way forward, and, in so doing, sacrifice our values as a nation.”
“Since 2011, when the Syrian conflict began, the United States has resettled a little over 2,000 Syrians—predominately women and children,” he continued. “This is a tiny fraction of the 4 million Syrian refugees who have fled their country for safety. Accepting 10,000 more next year, as the Administration has proposed, would send a signal to the world that we are willing to share the burden of protecting the refugees, until the conflict in Syria can be ended.”
The prelate added:
Some have suggested that the United States should only accept Syrians and Iraqis who are Christian. Of course, Christian minorities, including Chaldean Catholics, from the region deserve our support and protection—ideally in the region so Christian communities there can survive, but also in other countries, if necessary. The large majority of Syrians fleeing religious and other forms of persecution are, in fact, Muslim, targeted by extremists in their own faith tradition. Is it Christian to deny them protection because of their religious beliefs?
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Posted by: unum -
Dec. 12, 2015 8:20 AM ET USA
So another Catholic Cardinal is moved to become a politician, speaking out and thereby instructing the faithful on an immigration policy that is the responsibility of civil officials. It is strange that we haven't heard from our Cardinals on what the Church is doing for the Christians being murdered in the Middle East and how the laity can help. Muslim migration is a political matter that governments can address, but the murder of Christians is a matter of concern to the entire Church.
