This is something of a callback to my earlier comment on how the US Catholic bishops seem blissfully unaware that people willing to commit the crime of unlawful entry into a foreign nation typically commit other lawless acts.
Aleteia has a handy summary of Pope Leo’s recent statements regarding migrants and it’s very disappointing. Like the US bishops, his core assumption is that all of the migrants are in some way justified in their movement and lawbreaking, and the only obstacle to their happiness are unjust laws preventing them from seamlessly entering their new home countries.
This flies in the face of volumes of data indicating the migrants are in fact being used as pawns by various state actors. It also ignores the duty of migrants to obey the laws, and respect the culture of their new homes, which they conspicuously refuse to do. Put simply, they cannot be compared to the lawful immigrants who came through Ellis Island with the goal of being Americans.
His Holiness’ statement involving what counts as “pro life” is particularly unfortunate given the number of innocent people dying as a result of migrant crime or traffic accidents by migrant drivers, many of whom have no license or have already had it suspended through previous infractions.
Put simply: what is the acceptable number of native-born people who have to die in the name of compassion? Is that pro-life?
Aleteia has a companion piece quoting from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and it is quite revealing. Notice the immediate qualifier before welcoming the foreigner:
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.
“The the extent that they are able.” Who determines that? Isn’t that up to the nation in question? This goes back to my long-standing criticism that Catholic clergy keep saying the immigration system is “broken” without offering a single solution other than maintaining a lawless and unsustainable status quo.
The Church teaches that we just actions not by intentions but by results, and the results of an open border have been disastrous, with ramping crime, hundreds of thousands of deaths due to drug overdoses and crashing wages. It is bitter fruit indeed, and as much as sob stories of the downtrodden get lots of sympathy, what of the families of the slain? Who prays for them?
Will His Holiness lead a solemn Mass for the victims of repeat violent offenders unjustly freed to commit even more crimes?
Until that happens, a serious person cannot help but be disappointed in the Pope’s moral blind spot regarding this matter.
Chateau Lloyd 
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