On Immigration, Americans Must Examine Their Conscience: Catholic Tradition can Help
"It is time for the consciences of Catholics and all citizens to examine policies of detention and deportation in light of the demands of love, truth, dignity and justice — and to act."
In their essay for National Catholic Reporter's feature series on Immigration and the Church, Cantú, DeCosse, and O'Neill, remind us that, "Catholic teaching holds that the law of love is foundational for social ethics because it underwrites three universal values — truth, dignity and justice — by which the civil law should be judged."
"We also recognize that the Catholic Church urges obedience to civil law and recognizes the right of the state lawfully to manage its borders. ... But no president or preacher can finally command our conscience — each person is accountable. And when civil law and government practice depart from the law of love, the law or practice must be revised or opposed.
Bishop of San Jose Oscar Cantú, Director of Religious and Catholic Ethics David E. DeCosse, and Director of Immigration Ethics William "Bill" O'Neill, S.J., published by National Catholic Reporter.