Alyssa Milano, the self-appointed celebrity arbiter of truth and goodness in political discourse, attempted to slam the Catholic Sen. Marco Rubio for his immigration policy after the Catholic senator posted a verse from the Bible. Milano rebutted with another Bible quote often used by pro-open border advocates as justification for endless illegal immigration and told Rubio to "practice the bible you preach." The only problem with her remark is that if she actually researched what the Catholic Church taught about immigration, she would understand he is practicing what his faith teaches.
"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. -Zechariah 7: 9-10 ," Milano tweeted. "Practice the Bible you preach, @marcorubio," she added for good measure.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) June 19, 2019
-Zechariah 7:9-10
Practice the Bible you preach, @marcorubio. https://t.co/qLnuVZob5C
There are several things wrong with Milano's reaction to the Florida governor. The first is that Sen. Rubio is fairly moderate on immigration. Despite aligning himself with President Trump on some issues, he has maintained a relative distance on agreeing with him on key aspects of the president's administration, particularly the border wall and amnesty for DACA recipients.
The second is that President Donald J. Trump's and Sen. Rubio's border plan both fall in line with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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As I have previously noted, the Catholic church actually has pretty good teaching when it comes to immigration and the duties and responsibilities of both the sovereign nation accepting immigrants and the refugee and newcomer to the country.
In Church teaching 2241, the Church offers a very reasonable and fairly balanced approach to immigration. The nation is called to accept immigrants to “the extent they are able” and protect their inalienable rights. The immigrant, however, is "expected 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."
Here's the full portion of the Catechism that Milano should read:
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.
In short, the Catholic Church finds it reasonable that government must have legal limits and standards for immigration. In turn, immigrants are called upon to become part of civic life, to respect the spiritual heritage, and embrace the culture. That sentiment is in line with the United States motto: “E Pluribus Unum" - out of many one.
The Church does not call for open borders, despite what some modern leaders of the Church might think. The Bible verse posted by Milano does not call for unreasonable immigration and welfare provided by a nation that is already billions in debt and overburdened with a broken immigration system. By all accounts, the United States government is well beyond the "extent" we are able to assist these migrants. Furthermore, many of these illegal aliens, by the very nature of breaking the law and coming to the country, are not respecting "with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens." Sen. Rubio and other Catholic Republicans concerned about the damaging effects of illegal immigration are practicing what their faith teaches. Perhaps Milano can learn by their example.
p.s.: The verse posted by Milano is also often used to justify socialism. Here's what Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIII had to say on the subject. (Hint: leftists attempting to shame conservative Catholics won't like it)
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