From the pope straight down to the U.S. bishops, the institutional Roman Catholic position on immigration is clear-cut: "Welcome the stranger."
But people in the pews tend to ignore the church's message on the issue, turning their focus from the issue of personal dignity to questions surrounding the law and the economy. There is a particular misunderstanding within the American Catholic Church regarding faith's demands on the question of immigration reform.
At the Seventh World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants last week, Pope Francis conceded that migration can cause problems, both for the country of origin and for the receiving country - but he was clear that Christians should put the care of migrants and their right to development first.
"When encountering migrants," Francis said, "it is important to adopt an integrated perspective, capable of valuing their potential, rather than seeing them only as a problem to be confronted and resolved."
With President Obama's new plan to streamline immigration in the U.S. and allow millions of undocumented workers to earn citizenship, American Catholics have an opportunity to look at how their views on immigration align with the church's position. Unfortunately, polls show most people don't think their faith intersects with this issue.
Despite the fact that many religious leaders have been outspoken advocates for immigration reform, just 7 percent of Americans consider religion the most important influence on their opinions about immigration policy, according to a 2010 Pew Research Center survey. The number is even smaller, just 5 percent, for those who identify as "conservative."
The subject of immigration certainly comes up during religious services. A third of church-going Catholics say their clergy have spoken out about immigration reform, according to Pew.
After the president's announcement last week, the head of the bishops' Committee on Migration, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez wrote that Obama's actions fall short of what's needed. Gomez said that the president's plan provides only temporary relief and leaves millions to live with the fear of deportation while they work in the shadows.
On the American political spectrum, some would view Gomez as extremely progressive on immigration. If so, perhaps the church is asking more people to become progressive in applying their faith to immigration reform. Gomez thinks so. He tells the citizenry, "As a nation, all of us - not only our leaders - have a responsibility. We cannot turn our heads and continue to look the other way."
Why is there consensus among most Christians on the issue of abortion but polarization when it comes to immigration? Why is there selective hearing when Catholic leaders speak of an urgent need to provide relief to the immigrant population?
There are hundreds of ways to slice the pie when it comes to immigration reform and there is no perfect solution for the 11 million undocumented workers in this country. But whether you're Republican or Democrat, the church calls you to look upon the faces of these immigrants with compassion.
That's a tall order for many who turn a deaf ear to the church on immigration but the demands of the Gospel supersede all political arguments. Is anybody listening?
Kathryn Elliott covers the Vatican, Pope Francis and all things related to the Catholic Church for HNGN. She is a producer for EWTN News Nightly, an international cable news show airing weeknights at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST on the Global Catholic Television Network. Kathryn has reported for the National Catholic Register, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Catholic Spirit, The Minnesota Daily and The Word Among Us Magazine. She has a BA in professional journalism from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Kathryn lives in Washington D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @kmelliott90.
