In the 1950s,
“Catholic Action” was Exlax and holy water. After the Communist inspired
Liberation Theology came along in the 1960s it was called “Social Justice”.
Lexington KY: Catholic Church and Interfaith group
stage refugee “pilgrimage” tomorrow, by Ann Corcoran, 10/19/18.
Can’t these Catholics simply (quietly!) help refugees and immigrants without making a show of it?
Kentucky is a ‘welcoming state’! What do the Kentucky refugee admission numbers look like? When I wrote this post yesterday, I learned that Kentucky ranks #14 in the list of states with the most resettled refugees. In fact, according to Wrapsnet, since October of 2008, Kentucky ‘welcomed’ 16,901 refugees!
Here
is what I don’t get: Why does their love of “the other” always have to be
demonstrated via a political event— a staged event to show how good they are
and how bad you are?
Here
is news from Lexington, KY about such an event tomorrow entitled: “Share the Journey with Migrant, Refugee, and Marginalized Sisters and
Brothers” pilgrimage.
Implicit
in the advertising is the political message: in the Trump era immigrants
are suffering.
Maybe
the good Catholics could help them privately and quietly with food and private
loving care! (We assume that they have run out of poor and homeless
Americans to care for in Lexington!)
Does it really help immigrants personally to showcase them, or is this
all about the midterm elections?
From
the Lexington Herald-Leader: Show solidarity with migrants, refugees at
Saturday pilgrimage, service
This
is a time of great and increasing uncertainty for immigrants living among us,
whatever their citizenship or country of origin. In fact, it is an extremely difficult time for
the marginalized and members of minorities living among us,
whether they were born in this country or not.
While
immigrants from some countries have been welcomed over the years, too often
refugee and immigrants from other countries have faced indifference or
hostility. This has happened while we have often relied on them to do
difficulty and sometimes dangerous jobs for long hours and for very low wages.
[How about if the good Catholics find them work
other than in low wage meat and poultry plants!—ed]
Recent changes in immigration and enforcement policies have left many
of these people with very little sense of security or, sometimes, hope. Those
of us in more fortunate circumstances must, in conscience, step up and offer
them both expressions of solidarity and practical help. [How about some serious practical help without the showboating!—ed]
One
important chance to express solidarity is the “Share the Journey with Migrant,
Refugee, and Marginalized Sisters and Brothers” pilgrimage taking place
Saturday, Oct. 20, starting at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse Plaza and ending at Historic St Paul Catholic Church,
where there will be a brief service, beginning with song and dance by our
Congolese sisters and brothers. [They love to bring out the refugees as props for their political
message!—ed]
The intention of the event is “to promote a just and inclusive
community, especially in this climate of enhanced danger for immigrants,
refugees, and the marginalized. We stand together, walk together, and pray together as a
public witness to the dignity of the human person and the obligation we have as
companions on the journey to accompany one another and build the culture of
encounter.” [They have that social justice
lingo down pat, don’t they!—ed]
This event is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington with
Lexington UNITED Interfaith Encounters, Catholic Charities, The Catholic Action
Center and others.
Here
is a list of the top twelve countries whose refugees, Catholics and other
‘religious’ resettlement agencies, have added to Kentucky’s diversity (mostly
chosen by the UN).
Burma
(3,964)
DR
Congo (3,040)
Bhutan
(2,592)
Iraq
(2,435)
Somalia
(2,171)
Cuba
(827)
Syria
(495)
Sudan
(231)
Burundi
(210)
Eritrea
(127)
Afghanistan
(120)
Pakistan
(107)
Go here for my Kentucky archives. Don’t
miss the story about the Iraqi refugees arrested a few years ago in Bowling
Green, now doing life in prison on terrorism charges.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
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