Los Angeles archbishop laments nationalism, racism
August 24, 2017
The bishop of the largest diocese in the United States said in a recent homily that “we are seeing in our country a new kind of racism and nationalism.”
“It is a racism and nationalism rooted in fear,” Archbishop José Gomez preached, adding:
We need to work to overcome all the forms of racial thinking and racist practices that are still realities in our society. And, as we know, there is still a lot of racism and nativism tied up in the immigration debate. Even among Catholics. This is all wrong and it needs to stop!
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Aug. 26, 2017 1:59 AM ET USA
Yes, there is an explosive force in racial bigotry infecting the U.S. today. It was pointed out to me a few years ago by a black professor, a member of my team from a large urban university. He was sitting next to me at a national meeting and leaned over to whisper in my ear words to the effect: "this conference is making it clear to me that the most persecuted person in our modern society is the white, European male." Black Africans had acknowledged this to me many years earlier.
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Posted by: unum -
Aug. 25, 2017 9:03 AM ET USA
Once again the Archbishop speaks as though our government has no legitimate role in regulating immigration. The Church must recognize that role in its preaching, and then teach the proper role for the Catholic laity in welcoming legal immigrants. When U.S. bishops ignore the rule of law, they are not taken seriously by the laity!
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Aug. 25, 2017 3:38 AM ET USA
Nationalism is good! Maintaining the integrity of a nation is important. We are to treat foreigners fairly and justly and protect them, but we are not required to let them overrun us, change our government and our institutions, refuse to integrate in language and culture, try to institute their own law, and, when illegally here, sap the resources of tax-payers, demanding services and aid. And, if, God forbid, given the vote, elect the party of abortion, gay rights, and religious rights loss!
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Aug. 24, 2017 10:02 PM ET USA
Racist thinking and actions are typical of Antifa groups supported by the Democrats in this area. Don't hear the good bishop talk about that. Also what he pushes is illegal activity as if we are not to protect our borders or country. Most of us are not against immigration when done legally. But what can one say about California. They want to secede. Maybe the bishop should address that issue.
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Aug. 24, 2017 7:01 PM ET USA
Perhaps if our Church leaders had remained focused on converting individuals to the Faith and deepening the understanding and devotion of Catholics throughout the country, there might be fewer racists and nativists. But why get into all that hard work when you can just latch on to the Left's programs of government coercion, and get plenty of accolades from politicians and academics and media types? Right, Archbishop?
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Aug. 24, 2017 12:18 PM ET USA
There might be racism and nativism among some but the Archbishop is wrong to tar the whole concern about immigration with these epithets. Fear? There's reason to fear: crime, drug cartels, terrorism and terrorists entering the country. There also has to be some time for immigrants to assimilate lest we have a balkanized country. Archbishop you need to get real.
