Gay/Lesbian Catholics Reach Out to Catholic Bishops on Immigration Reform

CHICAGO, Aug. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM/LGBT Catholics) believes that LGBT political leadership should be more involved in this issue. Attempts to work with the Catholic Bishops where we can should be attempted, as long as they do not single out LGBT families for condemnation when it concerns immigration policy.

The RSM is calling on The Human Rights Campaign and other LGBT national organizations to condemn the current effort by certain politicians in the US House of Representatives and Senate to bully and demonize children who are seeking asylum, support the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, and the Catholic Bishops in their efforts to focus on children's needs, rather than fear mongering directed at innocent children.

This is a pro life issue. Since Pope Francis has become Pope he is making the social gospel equivalent to poverty relief, conflict resolution, human trafficking, and the environment, as well as immigrant rights.

Joe Murray, Executive Director of the RSM said "the Republicans are blaming Obama for the flood of children at the border.  The Catholic Bishops on the other hand see multiple interrelated factors contributing to the crisis.  According to the Migration Relief Services (MRS) , "Some of these factors include: a lack of strong social institutions and civil society support, abuse in the family stemming from pressure on family units due to violence and family separation, a lack of viable economic and educational opportunities, and environmental factors affecting crop production."

Murray further said "We should make it clear that our concern is both the needs and protection of these border children, a just immigration policy and that immigration reform concerns all of us."

SOURCE Rainbow Sash Movement