To the Editor:
This is a difficult, painful letter to write. My husband and I have been married 20 years. We have three smart, happy, intelligent children. Our only son has autism.
My husband is an ICE agent. My husband began his 22-year career as a United States Customs Agent and through the merging of agencies with the former INS, he is now an ICE agent. I have to tell you, Bishop, I am hurt and offended by your words. You, in effect, have asked my husband to "evaluate the morality of his participation in immigration raids."
He is doing his job! He is enforcing just laws for the public safety and common good. Maybe you do not realize the security issues we face as a country.
There was a reason my grandmother went through Ellis Island when she came to this country in 1907. I have no problem with wanting a better life for yourself. I fully understand that, but, there is a legal way to enter and an illegal way to enter. When people come to this country illegally, they have committed a crime. I think they are the ones that should be taking their moral inventory, not my husband, he has never committed a crime.
We have tried to instill good moral values and an appreciation for the law into all of our children. We do that by example. By living our lives, not by making excuses for our wrongdoings, but by taking and accepting responsibility for our actions. I believe that is, by your own words, "the Moral Law, the Law of God."
You mention that you agree that "policies on immigration should help families stay together," but, what about my family? You say that "The Gospel requires Catholics to care for and stand with illegal immigrants, including illegal immigrant children" but, what about my autistic son?
I can only imagine the shock and pain when Carol Race of Bertha, Minnesota showed up at the doors of the Church of St. Joseph and Sheriff Pete Mikkelson told her if she brought her autistic son Adam into the church, she would be arrested. I wonder if Rev. Daniel Walz thought about the Gospels when he placed a restraining order on Adam? I'm sure Carol is "afraid to come to church for fear of arrest," but the only difference is Carol and her son, Adam, have not committed a crime.
What about caring for and standing with children with special needs? On the Providence Diocese website, I saw nothing about helping children who have never broken a law. Yet, day after day, our kids are persecuted, taken advantage of, abandoned by churches. As a mother, I would be negligent of my duties if I did not speak out against these unjust Catholic policies and practices.
So, I ask you Bishop to search the sanctity of your conscience and that of the Catholic faith. My family will pray for you as well.
Cindy Quigley
Ft. Myers, Florida
Ed. note: As regular readers of Rhode Island Catholic are aware, the Diocese of Providence helps children in countless ways, on a daily basis. On the specific issue of autism, the newspaper has published a front-page story on the pioneering efforts of St. Peter Church in Warwick to offer a religious instruction program for children diagnosed with autism. The newspaper will continue to follow this important outreach program throughout the year. It is scheduled to begin soon, and children from around the state have enrolled.
