14. Love Converts Pt. 2

The 14th commandment of Mosaic Law is to love converts.  

In the last post we discussed how the 14^th Mosaic Law is binding on Christians.

Before we move onto the 15^th law, we should discuss the 14^th law’s scriptural basis, Deuteronomy  10:19.

So you too must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.

This seems to be a good time to discuss immigration reform.

According to Wikipedia, the fertility of the population of the United States is below replacement among those native born. It is only due to immigration that we are able to maintain replacement levels. 

According to Pope John Paul II, “Those who are more influential, because they have a greater share of goods and common services, should feel responsible for the weaker and be ready to share with them all they possess.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “When persons cannot find employment in their country of origin to support themselves and their families, they have a right to find work elsewhere in order to survive. Sovereign nations should provide ways to accommodate this right. …More powerful economic nations…have a stronger obligation to accommodate migration flows.”

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have outlined a proposal for comprehensive immigration reform. The key elements of comprehensive reform advocated by the Bishops are:

·        Earned Legalization;

·        Enforcement;

·        Establishment of a Future Worker Program that would permit foreign-born workers to enter the country safely and legally;

·        Family-based immigration reform;

·        Addressing Root Causes; and

·        Restoration of Due Process Rights.