The push for immigration reform is making its way to Catholic pews, according to the New York Times.
Catholic priests and bishops want use the pulpit to address changes in immigration policy next month. Many will use Masses on Sunday, Sept. 8 to call for an overhaul to the path to citizenship for immigrants here illegally.
This group political activity by the Roman Catholic Church is a part of a broader effort, write Ashley Parker and Michael D. Shear in the New York Times, to support President Obama’s call for immigration reform. This campaign includes ads, “prayerful marches” and phone calls directed to almost 60 Catholic GOP lawmakers.
The Catholic Church is not the only religious group playing a role in rallying support for immigration reform. The ecumenical Evangelical Immigration Table created a $400,000 radio ad campaign to run on Christian and talk radio stations in 56 Congressional districts in 14 states.
However, few religious groups have the resources and following of the Catholic Church, who have committed to putting all of their weight into this issue.
Pilgrimages are another way Catholics are bringing the immigration message to lawmakers. One California event has marchers leaving Sacramento and the border town to San Ysidro, to meet at a Sept. 2 rally in Sacramento to descend on the district of Number 3 House Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
“It would be good to have the conversation and help them understand that this is important for a lot of different reasons,” according to Catholic Republican Rep. David Valadao from central California.
“Having your priests talk about it in front of your constituents is always beneficial.”
