Bishop John Wester of the diocese of Salt Lake City seems to make a habit out of ignoring the true teachings of the Catholic Church.
In a recent dialogue between Wester and Brett Tolman, former U.S. attorney for Utah, on the topic of illegal immigration, Wester had some very interesting points that fly in the face of what Catholicism actually teaches.
During the course of the evening, Wester stated, "These people ... have the right to migrate when necessary. It's a human right. That transcends national law. It's an inherent human right."
The Catholic Church clearly gives no "right" to anyone to break the laws of a sovereign nation. On the contrary, Catholicism is clear on the subject;
- Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens. (2241 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)
And in a recent speech on the subject of illegal immigration, Pope Benedict XVI stated that various Catholic organizations and other charitable entities could be of greater assistance by "reconciling recognition for the rights of the individual with the principle of national sovereignty, making specific reference to the needs of security, public order, and the control of borders."
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