Catholic Influence Strong at Rally Opposing Harsh Legislation

 The crowd continued to grow on the south steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol on April 1.
Below Mauro Yanez translates for Shirley Cox as she addresses the audience. Photos/Sooner Catholic 

By Ray Dyer                                                                                                                       
The Sooner Catholic 
OKLAHOMA CITY — Politics is the fuel feeding the national frenzy concerning the issue of illegal immigration, according to Father Don Wolf. The pastor of Assumption Church in Duncan, Father Wolf was among the estimated 10,000 people at the Oklahoma state capitol on April 1 rallying against proposed laws that would turn care givers and service providers into immigration watchdogs. Days earlier the proposed legislation was described as  “harsh” by Archbishop Beltran, Bishop Slattery of Tulsa and two of Oklahoma’s Protestant bishops. The religious leaders contend illegal immigration is a national issue that deserves a national response. U.S. Catholic bishops have for years called for comprehensive immigration reform.

Father Wolf questioned why the issue of illegal immigration is now gaining so much attention from politicians, both at the federal level and throughout many of the states.  A priest for some 25 years, he said illegal immigrants have historically come to the United States looking to build a better life. The majority of these people raise families and assimilate into the U.S. culture. So why has the matter now become such a hot button issue? One reason, Father Wolf said may be the uncertainty that lingers within the nation.

“War can create uncertainty,” Father Wolf said. “And success can create uncertainty.” The Hispanic community has evolved into a major business and economic force in the United States and that may cause some to feel threatened. “Anything that upsets the status quo creates uncertainty,” Father Wolf said.

A strong Catholic influence was evident at the state capitol rally. Catholics from several parishes, including Sacred Heart and Little Flower both in Oklahoma City held signs opposing the proposed legislation. Father Jenaro de la Cruz, pastor of Little Flower, led songs of faith prior to the start of the rally. Thousands chanted in unison “yes we can!” in English and Spanish.

 Shirley Cox, legislative advocate for Catholic Charities, served as one of the organizers of the rally. Cox and other speakers were assisted at the podium with translation by Mauro Yanez, Spanish editor for the Sooner Catholic newspaper. Another Catholic, Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, told the audience the legislation proposed by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and passed by the House, but now bogged down in the Senate “was bad the day it was proposed and it’s bad still today.”

Terrill is pushing for laws that would require government employees to report anyone seeking services if that person could not produce proof of legal residence in the U.S. One woman opposing the legislation held a sign at the state capitol rally that read “I’m a teacher, not an INS agent.”

Those eligible were urged to register to vote at a nearby voter registration tent.