and the Bishop says . . .

The following interview of Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo by Steve Neill, editor of The Catholic Virginian, took place March 28.

Q. Bishop DiLorenzo, you and Bishop Loverde have written a joint letter to the two U.S. Senators of Virginia — John Warner and George Allen — urging them to support true immigration reform and to oppose legislation which could punish churches and humanitarian organizations which provide services to undocumented immigrants. Why is this important?

A. I think the first part of your question is that we’re looking for comprehensive legislation for immigration reform. I have listened to senators on both sides of the aisle and representatives of both sides of the aisle in the House.

There seems to be a general sense that we need true immigration reform. Apparently over a period of years there has been a breakdown in the system. All seem to agree to that. Patchwork legislation does not work. We really need a thorough overhaul of immigration laws and a reform of the whole immigration system which is fair, just and equitable.

I do believe that charitable organizations and churches for the most part are concerned with human rights. We find that there are at least 11 million undocumented immigrants who have crossed over the borders to the United States. These people are here for a variety of hopes, desires and expectations.

It is a failure of our immigration policies, in my opinion, as to why they are here, but in point of fact, they are here. It’s the role of charitable and humanitarian organizations and human rights groups as well as churches to deal with them in the here and now situation.

They need help so our role is to address the human rights questions here and now. There’s no question that it’s up to the state to handle the 11 million undocumented immigrants that are here and get that straightened out.

But while they are here, they have certain human and religious needs that need to be met and we are doing that. We are not trying to thwart or obstruct the role of government in this regard. All we’re trying to do is take care of people who are on our doorstep and who need direct services now.

Q. How could churches which provide meals and clothing to undocumented immigrants continue their work if these activities were considered violations of the law?

A. I first of all would vigorously work with legislators on the federal, state and county levels to try not to penalize charitable organizations and churches from responding to human rights issues. That is their role in society.

Nor should these groups be co-opted into doing the job of civil servants and those who are in the government. We have elected representatives and senators to come up with legislative reform with respect to immigration. They, in turn, have to bring into existence persons who will enforce the policy. If the system is not working, then it’s their responsibility to make it work. Our responsibility is to provide direct services to those who are in need here and now.

Q. Do you support the stance of Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles who has encouraged priests of his archdiocese to continue to help undocumented immigrants even if there is legislation providing sanctions against that help?

A. Cardinal Mahony is welcome to make whatever statements he wishes to his priests. I know this much — the Bible makes it clear that if I see somebody in need, I must be neighbor to every man, woman and child who is in need. The question ‘who is my neighbor?’ is formulated incorrectly. The question should be ‘To whom should I be neighbor?’ Jesus answered ‘every man, woman and child.’ In that sense, what Cardinal Mahony says is up to him. The higher law of charity is found in the Bible under the story of the Good Samaritan.

Q. Would you encourage people of the Diocese of Richmond to write to Senators Warner and Allen supporting true immigration reform?

A. I certainly would. Here is an example of us really acting as good citizens. Many of us come into contact unknowingly with persons who are undocumented immigrants, persons who in many cases are doing a hard day’s work for more or less a fair pay and sometimes an unfair pay. We’ve got to keep working with the situation.

Q. Shifting to internal matters of the Diocese of Richmond, will the diocese continue to seek priests from other countries to help ease the clergy shortage?

A. We are working hard to recruit persons to the priesthood in our diocese. We have set aside Father Michael Renninger as the full-time Vocations Director. His work is meeting with some success and for that, we are always grateful for his energy and his efforts. At the same time, too, we are more and more dependent on international priests to come to our aid and help us. We are grateful to them as well.

Between both of those sources of vocations, we’re hoping to meet the needs of our people along with the needs of our diaconate program and a good program for professional lay ministers.

Q. How did the process work this year with the Priests’ Personnel recommendations filling the slots in parishes which were open?

A. What we’ve done is what we did last year. What has been added this year is that the Diocesan Planning Commission has suggested areas where there could be some sharing of a pastor. In those areas where the Commission has indicated that, we have taken advantage of their recommendations. But in general, the process for priestly assignments found in the Priests’ Handbook has been used and we have been very faithful to that. So things seem to be going pretty well.

I do believe that what we’re going to have is a staggered series of assignments. Some will be immediate, some will be for June and some will be even later depending on the circumstances. So we will divide them into three categories.

Q. Is there any probability of more Dominican priests coming to the diocese? We already have a Dominican community at St. Thomas Aquinas parish for the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and two priests who come on weekends to assist in the campus Masses at the College of William and Mary.

A. We have no plans at this point in time to explore this further. We feel we have been more than blessed by the presence of the existing Dominicans. It may be a bit over the edge to keep asking for more and more.

Q. Is there anything the Diocese might be doing to keep everyone aware of the problem of sexual abuse of children?

A. First of all, continuing education and information is important. The Virtus program has a feature in which once a month you get an article with information on this issue and be updated on the dynamics associated with this criminal behavior. It provides continuing knowledge on how to read the signs properly so we can cut down on incidents of this type of crime which affects our families and our church.