Texas bishop denounces ‘Pharisees’ who call for end to immigration program
July 07, 2017
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, has denounced the state’s attorney general for opposing the extension of the DREAM program, which protects immigrants from deportation if they were brought into the US as children.
Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas has joined nine other state attorneys general in a threat to bring suit against the Trump administration if it does not end the DREAM program, which was inaugurated by the Obama administration. In a column published in the El Paso Times, Bishop Seitz said that the threat showed a lack of “compassion toward those forced by life’s circumstances to carry heavy loads.”
The demand for an end to the DREAM program “really made me angry,” the bishop wrote. He likened Paxton and his colleagues to bullies “picking on the little kids” and to the Pharisees condemned by Christ.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Bishop calls Texas attorney general a hypocrite for stance on DREAMers (USA Today)
- Bishop Seitz: Paxton, other Dreamer opponents are modern-day Pharisees (El Paso Times)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: garedawg -
Jul. 10, 2017 12:40 AM ET USA
Although the Bishop's words are unwise and too harsh, the DREAM program seems like part of a good solution to a difficult problem, and I would question the attorney general's fervor for ending it.
-
Posted by: Gregory108 -
Jul. 08, 2017 11:29 AM ET USA
Isn't this sad? When I survey these episcopal statements, I sometimes wonder whether it's not time to find a different church,if he's a leader in the Catholic Church! Maybe it's at least time to return to the Eastern Church, whence I came. Their bishops do not put out whacky statements like this! Then I remember! He's speaking entirely outside his teaching authority. This is only HIS OPINION about a political issue. He has no special authority or competence to speak! He speaks as Mr. Seitz!
-
Posted by: rfr46 -
Jul. 08, 2017 2:46 AM ET USA
Those nasty deplorables are at it again.
-
Posted by: james-w-anderson8230 -
Jul. 07, 2017 9:30 PM ET USA
Bullies frequently call their victims names, much like Bishop Mark Seitz.
-
Posted by: [email protected] -
Jul. 07, 2017 8:59 PM ET USA
Wow! This bishop is unhinged. There are all kinds of problems with this program. Don't hear the bishop talk about illegals crossing the border. Does the bishop support the breaking of our laws? Who does he expect to support all these law breakers? Perhaps he will give up his salary and benefits and residence to support the illegals! DREAMERS are but one part of a larger problem.
