Thoughts on Immigration Issues

The USCCB's Secretariat of Hispanic Affairs reports that more than 35% of our U.S. Catholic population is Hispanic. Hispanics, since 1960, have contributed 71% to the growth of the Church. More than 50% of all U.S. Catholics younger than age 25 are of Hispanic heritage. More than two-thirds of all Hispanics in the U.S. (45.5 million) consider themselves Catholic. By 2050 it is estimated that our Hispanic population will exceed 102 million.

This growing Hispanic presence in the United States is addressed in the book, "A Civilization of Love" by Carl Anderson (HarperOne, 2009, ISBN-10: 0061335320). Carl Anderson is "the Supreme Knight," the head of the Knights of Columbus. In this book, he reflects upon what American Catholics can do to transform America into a civilization of love. His answer to resolving the immigration issue is to fix the economic inequality between the U.S. and Mexico and other Central and Latin American countries. The Church can influence the outcome, as can key Catholics in business and finance. Anderson deplores the hostility with which immigrants are regarded, reminding us that our European predecessors, too, were led to the U.S. to escape poverty.

Source: ZENIT, 12/7/09

Walt Lundin, January 2010