• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Father Richard T. Lawrence, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Baltimore, speaks in favor of immigration reform. (CR file)

Baltimore City pastors draw attention to immigration reform

January 19, 2012
By Catholic Review
Filed Under: Local News, News

Saying the U.S. immigration system is broken, Baltimore City pastors called for its reform during a news conference Jan. 12 at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Baltimore.

The event was timed to coincide with the return of elected legislators to D.C. this month.

Recalling the long history of foreign settlers in the city, St. Vincent de Paul parish’s Father Richard T. Lawrence said the U.S. must move past its history of ethnic division. He said people who come from Latin America, Africa and Asia are often mired in complicated paperwork and face resentment.

“They’re poor, they’re going to live poor and they’re going to die poor,” Father Lawrence said, “and they all know it. But they have they the same hope preceding generations had, ‘My kids won’t have to die poor. If I work hard enough, I can make life better for my kids.’ That’s something that should resonate. It’s where we all come from. It’s something we all need to recognize and all need to respect and we need laws that reflect that.”

The Baltimore event was supported by the Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese Immigration Coalition, Central Maryland Ecumenical Council, CASA de Maryland, Baltimore City Hispanic Commission, Members of Community and Baltimore City Council Members

The “Immigration Reform for America’s Security Act and Prosperity” was recently introduced in the House of Representatives with nearly 100 co-sponsors. Similar legislation in the Senate is expected sometime in January as well.

Redemptorist Father Robert Wojtek, pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Michael and St. Patrick in Fells Point also was in attendance at the Baltimore event.

Father Joseph L. Muth Jr., pastor of St. Matthew, Northwood, and Baltimore City’s Church of the Blessed Sacrament, said immigration reform will create new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes and study English on their way to becoming U.S. citizens.

He also said it would enhance national security by focusing law enforcement on the most dangerous threats to the country. He said such a move will protect workers, help with economic recovery, keep families together and protect due process rights for all.

“This is the time,” Father Muth said. “We are pushing for comprehensive immigration reform. It’ll help us to be faithful to the greatness of this country. …”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore

  • Father Patrick Carrion offers blessing before Preakness

  • Catholic school academic honorees return to lead alma maters at Bishop Walsh, Archbishop Curley

  • Peruvian priest in Baltimore crossed paths with Pope Leo

  • Pope names new chancellor of institute for marriage, family sciences

| Latest Local News |

Bishop Lewandowski installed as bishop of Providence

Bishop Lewandowski adopts new coat of arms

‘Bishop Bruce’ forged strong bonds with Baltimore in challenging times, had heart of a pastor

Deacon Thomas O’Donnell of Catonsville experiences power of papal transition in Rome

Radio Interview: Grow in your relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary

| Latest World News |

God’s love is generous, not calculating, pope says at first audience

Bishops praise, criticize federal actions affecting human life amid budget debate

Cardinal Parolin honored for ‘sacred mission’ to forge peace through diplomacy

‘Take it Down Act’ to combat online sexual exploitation signed into law

Every vocation, even the pope’s, springs from God’s love, pope says

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Bishop Lewandowski installed as bishop of Providence
  • Bishop Lewandowski adopts new coat of arms
  • God’s love is generous, not calculating, pope says at first audience
  • Bishops praise, criticize federal actions affecting human life amid budget debate
  • Question Corner: Are the Gospels made up, nonhistorical accounts?
  • Movie Review: ‘Sinners’
  • Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon
  • On Ascension, absence and true love
  • Cardinal Parolin honored for ‘sacred mission’ to forge peace through diplomacy

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED