US Catholic Church leaders push to overhaul immigration policy

Catholic bishops and priests from major dioceses across the United States plan to send a coordinated message next month backing changes in immigration policy.

News reports said some Church leaders are planning to use Sunday Masses on Sept. 8 to urge congressional passage of a legislative overhaul that includes a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants

The decision to embrace political action from the pulpit is part of a broader effort by the Roman Catholic Church and other faith groups that support President Obama’s call for new immigration laws, the Washington Post reported.

The move includes advertising and phone calls directed at 60 Catholic Republican lawmakers and “prayerful marches” in congressional districts where the issue has become a divisive topic.

“We want to try to pull out all the stops,” said Kevin Appleby, the director of migration policy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who said the immigration issue was at a now-or-never moment.

“They have to hear the message that we want this done, and if you’re not successful during the summer, you’re not going to win by the end of the year.”

Sources

The Washington Post

The New York Times

Image: Reuters/The Washington Post

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