The Trenton Times published the following article on October 11, 2013. To read the full article click here.
Diocese of Trenton holds Mass celebrating justice for immigrants
By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on October 11, 2013 at 7:40 PM, updated October 11, 2013 at 7:41 PMTRENTON — Setting aside political partisanship, Bishop David O’Connell said today that he and other Catholic bishops in the United States have outlined the moral guidelines for much-needed immigration reform with the hopes of passing that message onto the faithful.
“It is the church’s responsibility to educate the faithful in those matters where human moral interactions, informed by Gospel faith and church teaching, need to be lifted up and prayerfully considered,” O’Connell said to the crowd of about 250 people gathered for a Mass celebrating justice for immigrants held at St. Mary the Assumption Cathedral today.
“This is not a political platform or partisan agenda,” O’Connell said. “It is not Republican or Democrat. Who cares about that?”
O’Connell — who heads the Diocese of Trenton that covers Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean counties — said the bishops have said immigration reform should include provisions to create a path for legalization for immigrants “of good character,” establish a framework that allows foreign-born workers to be ensured protected and honest work and keep families together.