A call to disobedience from a Cardinal?

This story is probably only starting, but it's certainly with interest to follow it -- after all, today's New York Times editorial bills this as a call from a Cardinal of the Catholic Church to violate a U.S. law should it be passed. That may be a bit extreme or premature, but it's what some people are saying.

Read for yourself: Cardinal says to use Lent to oppose hostility toward immigrants

Here is one of the pertinent excerpts:

In interviews with the Los Angeles Times and The Tidings, the archdiocesan newspaper, the cardinal harshly criticized a recent bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that emphasizes enforcement measures against people who are in the country illegally.

Cardinal Mahony called the House legislation, which would penalize people who aid illegal immigrants, a "blameful, vicious" bill.

"Anyone who does anything for someone here who doesn't have documents would be a felon under this bill," the cardinal told The Tidings.

"And it targets everybody, churches included. So on its face value, it means that anyone coming for Communion or baptism or to be married, I should stop and ask to see their legal papers," he said in an interview that appeared in the Feb. 17 issue of The Tidings.

"That's absurd, and we're not going to do it -- even if Congress says we have to. We're not going to be immigration officers. Our role is spiritual and pastoral, and that's going to prevail. But the foolishness of this whole out-of-control thought process is just astounding," he said.

It's always surprised me how much hostility and debate this topic brings up between Catholics. Yet with the other "hot-button" topics of the day, the discussion about immigration reform can get pushed to the back burner. If you want to know more about this, check out these links to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

Immigration proposals: Contentious debate looms

Cardinal Mahony Calls On Catholics To Fast For Immigration Reform This Lenten Season

Lenten message of Cardinal Roger Mahony

This link was provided as well: Justice for Immigrants Campaign