IL Papa coming to the U.S. in April
Washington, DC, When Pope Benedict XVI (”Il Papa in Rome”) makes his first U.S. visit next month he will be called “El Papa” by more and more of his growing Catholic flock in this country. Latinos now make up one third of U.S. Catholics. Like so many facets of American life this growth has been fueled by immigrants from Latin American countries, many of whom are subjected to ethnic attacks, civil rights and employment violations. El Papa will be in a unique and advantageous position to add a positive tone to the immigration debate. Hopefully he will take John McCain’s line that “they are God’s children too”, to an even higher plain. Latino Catholics are counting on him to promote a message of harmony and peace to all immigrants in our melting pot country. If he delivers on this opportunity the value will be widespread. Should he miss it that would be a tragedy as well as the beginning of far greater movement to other churches by Latino Catholics than those have been taking place over the last two decades. LEL believes it is a beautiful opportunity and a moral imperative for El Papa and the Church.
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