http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/19/religion/dpt-intheory12.txt

 

 

http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/04/03/religion/dpt-spiritualguidance03292008.txt

 

 

http://www.templeisaiahoc.org/

(...as published in the Daily Pilot)

 

 

IN THEORY:

Should we shelter immigrants?

 

[Published: Friday, January 18, 2008 10:15 PM PST]

 

 

Daily Planet: "Roman Catholics have been taking heat as church leaders help those who cross into the country unlawfully with a network of shelters for them as they migrate into the U.S. "Migration is a human right, and migrants are some of the world's most vulnerable people. It is the church's obligation to help them," said the Rev. Francisco Pellizzari, an Italian-Argentine missionary who runs the Nazareth migrant shelter in Nuevo Laredo. But Ralph Ovadal, pastor of the Pilgrims Covenant Church in Wisconsin, said, "The Roman Catholic Church is aiding and abetting the criminal invasion of America from Mexico." Is it proper for religious leaders to help immigrants who cross into the country illegally?"

 

Pastor Tomlinson: It is not proper for a church to aid and abet those who commit a felony by entering America illegally. The Roman Catholic Church has again placed itself in direct violation of the Word of God, which states we are to obey the laws of the state. (Romans 13:1-7.) The exception is when the laws of government contradict the Law of God. (Acts, chapter 5.)

 

The Word of God nowhere implies that the mission of the church is to help people enter a country illegally to raise their standard of living.

 

There is a major difference between reaching out to the poor and setting up a system that helps people break the law. Churches are right to aid the poor; we are wrong to deliberately help people break the law.

 

 

Pastor Dwight Tomlinson

 

Liberty Baptist Church

 

Newport Beach

 

 

(more articles)