THE BABE IN THE BUNKER

'CAFETERIA CATHOLICS' AND AMERICA'S ILLEGAL-ALIEN PROBLEM

Exclusive: Barbara Simpson examines Church dilemma over shielding lawbreakers

If anyone wonders why Roman Catholics in this country feel as though their heads are spinning, the latest statement by the archbishop of San Francisco provided fuel for the fire.

The man in question, Salvatore Cordileone, expressed his feelings about what President Donald Trump is doing in terms of the border and immigration.

Clearly, the archbishop is not pleased with what is emanating from Washington concerning the people in this country illegally.

The dilemma for Catholics is whether they should adhere to the law or make allowances for those who deliberately break the law.

If they side with the lawbreakers, are they committing a sin, or are the rules of the Church now up for grabs?

For many, it appears, that’s the case.

For many, it appears that not only does the Church have “cafeteria Catholics” – those who pick and choose what they will do rather than follow Church law – but now the Church has to deal with “cafeteria rules,” in other words, Church rules and guidelines that people can pick and choose at will and still be considered “good” Catholics.

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, the archbishop told the paper that he was “nervous” about the executive actions President Trump has taken on the issue of immigration.

The actions that disturb the archbishop are the decisions to build a border wall, hire 10,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and cut federal funding to sanctuary cities.

When asked directly his reaction to the presidential actions, Archbishop Cordileone told the paper that the Church would protect those who could be deported and make sure that those affected “know their rights.”

Let’s see, just what are the “rights” of people who have broken the law to get into this country, who are working here illegally, often using stolen or faked identification, perhaps driving without a license, and taking advantage of our social service programs even though they’re here illegally?

Outside of basic “human rights,” they have none of the rights of American citizens or people who are in this country legally.

According to his interview, the archbishop said none of what President Trump has done is unexpected, but since he seems to be focusing on “criminal” illegals, the archbishop appears to think people who are here, working and “contributing to society” will be allowed to stay.

Sorry, Padre – just the illegal crossing of the border disqualifies people for the benefits of American citizenship. Those people who are here and working need to go home and follow our immigration rules as people have done for decades.

Neither the Catholic Church in San Francisco nor anywhere else in California has made a statement concerning the city status as a “sanctuary city,” which means illegal aliens are a protected class and local police will not cooperate with federal counterterrorism efforts. The city just officially cut ties with Homeland Security and will not comply with President Trump’s executive orders.

The Church and the city seem to have conveniently ignored that Kate Steinle was shot to death in 2015 by a five-time deported, seven-time convicted illegal-alien felon.

Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez admitted he came to San Francisco because it was a sanctuary city and he knew he would not be deported. He wasn’t, and hasn’t been deported, and Kate Steinle is still dead.

Her death has become a political football when it’s really a horrible tragedy.

Had the law been followed concerning illegal aliens, had the city complied with the requests that they cooperate with the FBI and other federal agencies, Kate Steinle’s death might have been avoided.

As it stands now, she is just a statistic that almost everyone seems to ignore, and that appears to include the U.S. Catholic hierarchy, which also strongly opposes President Trump’s executive orders on illegals.

So just what is a good Roman Catholic to believe or do?

It has nothing to do with anti-Catholic sentiment. This week – National Catholic Schools Week – President Trump has praised the Catholic system of education for all it has done to “nurture devotion, impart wisdom and minister to the 2 million students daily and the diverse communities they serve.” And he is correct.

But things are not quite so rosy. For example, because of changes in population and demographics, in the Diocese of Oakland (across the Bay from San Francisco), it’s just been announced that five Catholic schools will be closed and the students merged into existing facilities.

According to Bishop Michael C. Barber, declining enrollment and increased costs forced the decision and the creation of a new school “network” to provide the education desired for the children.

So getting back to the original question: What is the average Roman Catholic to believe?

As a Catholic myself, I see our beliefs being watered down as politics makes dangerous inroads into our doctrines and the bishops who are supposed to provide the guidelines allow “cafeteria Catholicism” to win out.

The real question is: Which version of the Catholic Church will survive?

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/02/cafeteria-catholics-and-americas-illegal-alien-problem/#APPU6yglWEM3Ktpl.99