Peruvian bishops condemn Arizona’s immigration law
May 10, 2010
The president of the Peruvian episcopal conference has condemned Arizona’s immigration law as “contrary to dignity and human rights.”
“For the Catholic Church in the United States, the presence of 45 million Hispanics is of the greatest importance; it strengthens our faith,” said Archbishop Héctor Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte of Trujillo, as he called upon US bishops to condemn the law. “We are all immigrants: even the [Native] Americans were immigrants at first, and this should be remembered. Moreover, most immigrants work well and with commitment; they make their contribution, and they bring up and educate their children for the good of all humanity.”
Archbishop Cabrejos’s remarks were posted on the Peruvian bishops’ web site on May 7.
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Further information:
- Peruvian Bishops disapprove 'Arizona immigration law' (Fides)
- Presidente De La Conferencia Episcopal Peruana Dice Que La “Ley Arizona” Atenta Contra La Dignidad De Las Personas (Conferencia Episcopal Peruana)
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Posted by: Father Fetus -
May. 10, 2010 8:16 PM ET USA
As a Catholic pastor in Arizona, I welcome the comments of the Bishops of Peru. They are correct. It is sad to see so many American Catholics out of step with the Church's teaching on immigration. "You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt." LV 19:33-34
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
May. 10, 2010 7:58 PM ET USA
Fortunately, the authority of a Peruvian bishop extends only to the boundaries of Peru. There it should stay! Maybe the good bishop should ponder the meaning of the word "illegal."
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
May. 10, 2010 7:13 PM ET USA
Whatever we may think of the immigration law, it is no more appropriate for Peruvian bishops to speak out on it than it is for U.S. bishops to speak out on Peruvian policies, unless they are unequivocally contrary to human rights, like forced abortion.
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Posted by: -
May. 10, 2010 5:14 PM ET USA
A bishop in Peru criticizes the state of Arizona. And why is this news?
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Posted by: Don Vicente -
May. 10, 2010 3:26 PM ET USA
I wonder if Peru lets anybody who wants to come into their country and stay as long as they please. I don't think so. The AZ law is simply a state-level rewrite of the current US Federal Law. Existing US law ALREADY calls for the expulsion of illegal aliens. (And I wonder what Peruvian law says...) Their Excellencies say “siempre que lo hagamos de manera correcta” which to any reasonable person means "according to law." They are trying to have it both ways.
