Sister Ann Carville, OSF – 5/31/06

This page was last updated on June 4, 2006.

Do immigration reform right; Sister Ann Carville, OSF; Beaver County Times; May 31, 2006. Sister Marguerite Coyne, CSJ, was listed as co-author. The letter alleges the authors are “Co-chairs Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference.”

The last time we heard from the TDSLC, it wanted the U.S. to cut and run from Iraq while at the same time doing everything we’re doing to bring stability to Iraq.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“The Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference supports comprehensive immigration reform that is compassionate, humane and just.”

[RWC] As you will read, and probably expect, “comprehensive immigration reform” means an open border.

“The conference, which represents Catholic women religious in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, urges legislation that respects the rights of all persons while responding to values of family unity and community life.”

[RWC] If the illegals are really concerned about “family unity and community life,” why do they leave their families and communities?

“TDSLC advocates legislation reform that addresses family reunification, a path to earned legalization, worker protections, and an effective border policy that is humane, rather than punitive.”

[RWC] I support “family reunification,” though I suspect not in the same way as the TDSLC. You see, existing laws already address “family reunification” for legal immigrants who become citizens. For illegal aliens, we achieve “family reunification” by sending the illegals home.

In this letter, “a path to earned legalization” means amnesty. It does not mean following our existing laws to become legal citizens.

“An effective border policy that is humane, rather than punitive” means an open border that allows anyone in who wants to come in. If an illegal were caught at the border and immediately returned to his home country, does anyone doubt the TDSLC would find this inhumane and punitive?

In this laundry list you didn’t read anything about orderly assimilation.

“The TDSLC is comprised of 70 Catholic women religious who serve in leadership positions within 16 religious congregations in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown and Wheeling, W.Va.

“The Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference represents the following congregations of women religious:”

[RWC] Is there a reason the letter used “women religious” three times? While I’m willing to accept that nuns are more authoritative than I regarding religious topics, that’s not true for other subjects. Regardless of their motives, the TDSLC appears to be just another liberal group when it comes to economics and politics.

“Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Sisters of the Divine Providence, Sisters of Divine Redeemer, Felician Sisters, Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale, Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, School Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling, W. Va., Sisters of Mercy, Pittsburgh, and Vincentian Sisters of Charity.”