Mexico City, Mexico, Apr 12, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The archbishop of Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez expressed his support this week for protests by Hispanics in the United States, saying the “undocumented” are persons who also possess the dignity of the children of God.
During the inauguration of the Diocesan Museum of the Mexican Martyrs, the cardinal said the undocumented should not be called “illegal” because they are not criminals, but rather people who out of necessity or “ignorance left without their papers.” He said the country to which they travel should treat them with justice and grant them a status that “respects first and foremost their human dignity.”
At the same time, he warned that the situation they are in is the responsibility of everyone, but most of all, of the government, which does not know how to train people to fend for themselves and “demand their rights.”
He also praised the US bishops for their support of Operation Sanctuary, which helps immigrants with food, shelter and legal counsel to regularize their status. The cardinal also pointed out that the Church in the Unites States is made up of a large number of Hispanics.