Bishop Daniel Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville is fighting the government’s desire to build a portion of the border wall on diocesan property.
At a recent lecture in Houston, Flores described the U.S. government’s attempt to survey land owned by the Diocese of Brownsville with goals to eventually build a wall there. While he denied the request and the government has since filed suit, Flores said he had several “amicable discussions” with federal officials.
“I have great respect for border security agents,” he said. “I know many of them personally. Still, I decided not to consent to this request on the grounds that it limits the freedom of the Church and is a counter-sign to her mission.”
A border wall is not an intrinsic evil, but it is a prudential social disaster, according to Flores.
“I am a realist,” he said. “The government has virtually unlimited resources, the Diocese of Brownsville does not. If in the end the wall is not built on our property, then we have defended our principled position; but, if in the end the barrier is built; it will not be because the Church signed a permission. This, would, in fact, speak for itself.”
–Crux
We know that the Church does not teach against the building of walls for security because there is a wall around Vatican City. It would be hypocritical for the bishop to say that a wall is “intrinsically evil” but I’m not sure he even has the right to say that it is a “prudential social disaster” given that the wall around Vatican City is no such disaster.
I cannot help but wonder what the Vatican would do if thousands upon thousands of migrants stormed the Vatican as they are storming the United States border today. I can imagine that it would not go over too well with the Holy Father if this were to happen.
According to the catechism, civil authorities must be welcoming of the foreigner, but the foreigner is obligated to follow the laws of the country they are migrating to.
2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.
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.
Our government does allow immigration, even for economic reasons, but when thousands upon thousands are entering the country in places other than ports of entry (illegally) then the government has the right to defend the border using a limited amount of force. Prudential judgment would allow for the use of tear gas against people hurling rocks and projectiles at border agents. Prudential judgment also seems to allow for the building of a wall in order to prevent illegal immigration. Such a wall would continue to have ports of entry for immigrants seeking asylum.
Currently, the United States taxpayers send $127 million dollars annually to the government of Honduras. This includes:
- $13 million for violence protection
- $12 million for counter-narcotics
- $10 million for justice, human rights and security strengthening
- $7.5 million for governance in ecosystems
President Trump has threatened to cut off this funding if the government of Honduras does not act quickly to stem the tide of migrants coming from there. It makes sense that President Trump would want to cut off this funding given that it is not doing the job it is intended for.
In the meantime, the border wall seems the only reasonable solution to illegal immigration. The bishops have taken great care not to say that they support illegal immigration precisely because the catechism demands that migrants follow immigration laws. If migrants do not follow the law (and most aren’t) then the appropriate response is to build the wall. I pray that our bishops will come around to this soon, but given that they receive billions in government funding for services to refugees, I don’t expect it to happen.
Perhaps President Trump should cut off the funding of the Church for refugee services if the bishops won’t support the building of a wall.
