Cardinal Roger M. Mahony spoke out about immigration, a call for more tolerant and humane immigration reform. A campaign orchestrated by Roman Catholic Church Leaders to influence new politics being debated by Congress.

Public attitudes aren’t great about immigration, and aren’t getting any better because Sept. 11, 2001 is still fresh in most people’s minds. U.S Roman Catholic bishops & other organizations have now launched a national campaign.

Just because the Catholic leaders want this doesn’t mean that all Catholics have it in their best interest. In 1944, A Times Exit Poll found that 49% of California Catholic Voters supported Proposition 187. It was a proposition that would deny public benefits to undocumented immigrants. A 2004 poll found that 56% of California Catholic voters supported Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger veto of a bill to give driver’s license to undocumented migrants. So, what’s the campaign trying to do? The campaign seeks more visas for family members of migrants; legalization of undocumented migrants and economic development in poor countries to reduce the need migrate.

“If you want your faith, you have to understand you have to understand you cannot abandon those in need. In the eyes of God no one is illegal,” said Msgr. John F. Barry, remembering his Irish immigrant roots.