The Michigan Catholic Bishops jointly signed a letter voicing “concerns” regarding the newly inaugurated Trump administration’s move to deport illegal aliens. This letter included Bishop Jeffrey Walsh of the Diocese of Gaylord. It is available on the Diocese website.
The bishops took no time after President Trump was inaugurated to publish this letter, which overall states nothing of substance. It’s tone is weak: “We, the Roman Catholic Bishops in Michigan, write to offer our continued pastoral and prayerful support for migrant individuals and families who over the course of time have entered the country and today are making a living in this state,” and the bishops “hear and empathize with families across the state who express anxiety and fear over mass deportations and harmful rhetoric that broadly demeans our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
The document fails to acknowledge that breaking a law (entering a country illegally) is sinful when that law is not in conflict with natural law or Church teaching. The Catholic Church has repeatedly stated that a sovereign country has the right to regulate who comes into the country and what criteria are in place to grant citizenship. Instead of calling them illegal immigrants (or illegal aliens, a legal term), the document uses the term “undocumented”.
It is unfortunately no surprise that the Michigan bishops didn’t jump on any anti-Biden bandwagons when Joe Biden, a so-called Catholic and vapid pro-abortion politician, came to power. Perhaps it is because the United States Council of Catholic Bishops receives over 60% of its funding from the federal government. A big chunk of this is tied to immigration. Research by the Lepanto Institute has repeatedly documented the amount of money the USCCB receives from the government and how much money is given to pro-life causes vs. immigration.
The bishops seem to be in for some not so fun unveilings as the Trump administration has stated it wants to significantly reform the fraud, waste, and abuse that the border now represents. As an example, a recent article highlighted how Catholic Charities is coaching illegal immigrants on how to avoid deportation by avoiding answering questions by authorities regarding their immigration status. Bishop Joseph Strickland has spoken out about his concerns regarding Catholic Charities and their budget in which over $500 million is from the federal government.
Gaylord Diocesan Watch has repeatedly reported on the inappropriate financial ties the USCCB has with the federal government. We will continue to watch this issue closely.