When I was growing up on the Great Lakes, I remember reading stories of persons in centuries past stuffing messages in bottles and casting them onto ocean waves with the hope that they might be found by someone, somewhere, sometime, who would read their enclosed note. Being very familiar with lake waves, I never thought of that system of communication as being particularly efficient ... but who was I to criticize?
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New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops

New Mexico Catholic Bishops Speak Out Against the New Arizona Immigration Law

Albuquerque, NM, Monday, April 26, 2010 -- In union with our fellow Bishops in Arizona, we Catholic Bishops in New Mexico speak out strongly against the new Arizona Immigration Law. The Law would require police to question people about their immigration status - including asking for identification - if they suspect someone is in the Country illegally. We are concerned that legal immigrants and U.S. Citizens would probably be interrogated by the police if they look Hispanic, or in any other way, foreign. The law would lead to racial profiling, community distrust and a pervasive fear among immigrants. It would also cause immigrants to hesitate to report crimes or to cooperate with the authorities and other investigations. Serious questions have also been raised about the constitutionality of the law and it is likely that legal challenges will be brought against the law by the U. S. Justice Department.

It is clear that we need immigration reform at the National level in order to deal with the disparities in the present immigration Law. We Bishops are concerned that other States might try to initiate such a wrongheaded law as well. We hope that the implementation of the law will be stopped. It is not in keeping with the best traditions of our Nation.

• Most Rev. Michael J. Sheehan, S.T.L, J.C.D., Archbishop of Santa Fe
• Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B., D.D., Bishop of Las Cruces
• Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup

Contact Allen Sanchez, NMCCB Executive Director, 505-319-3334

Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Nuevo México

Los Obispos Católicos de Nuevo México hablan contra la Nueva Ley de inmigración de Arizona

Albuquerque, NM, lunes, 26 de Abril de 2010 -- ANUNCIO INMEDIATO - En unión con nuestros hermanos Obispos Católicos de Arizona, nosotros, los Obispos Católicos de Nuevo México, hablamos fuertemente en contra de la Nueva Ley de Inmigración de Arizona. La Ley requeriría que la policía averigüe el estado migratorio de la gente, incluyendo el pedirles de identificación, si ellos sospechan que alguien está ilegalmente en este país. Nos preocupa el que inmigrantes legales en el país y ciudadanos estadounidenses sean interrogados por la policía por mirarse hispanos o, de manera alguna, extranjeros. La ley conduciría hacia un perfil racial, desconfianza comunitaria y a difundir el temor entre los inmigrantes. Esto también causaría a los inmigrantes el dudar para reportar crímenes o para cooperar con las autoridades y en otras investigaciones. Se han levantado serias preguntas sobre la constitucionalidad de la ley y al parecer retos legales serán traídos contra la ley por el Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos.

Es claro que necesitamos una reforma migratoria a nivel Nacional que trabaje con las desigualdades de la presente ley de inmigración. A nosotros los Obispos nos preocupa el que otros estados traten también de iniciar una necedad de ley tal como esta. Esperamos que la acción de la ley no sea ejecutada. Esto no mantiene lo mejor de la tradición de nuestra Nación.

• Rvmo. Michael J. Sheen, S.T.L., J.C.D., Arzobispo de Santa Fe
• Rvmo. Ricardo Ramírez, C.S.B., D.D., Obispo de Las Cruces
• Rvmo. James S. Wall, Obispo de Gallup

Contacto: Allen Sánchez, NMCCB Executive Director @ (505) 319-4334

Recognitio Received from the Holy See

Finally, we have a new and approved English translation! Cardinal George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has received the communication from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome that the long awaited English translation of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal has finally been approved. READ MORE...