Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued a letter calling for a nationwide Holy Hour for Peace in response to recent deaths during immigration enforcement operations. His statement addresses what he calls a "climate of fear and polarization" and urges prayer for reconciliation, justice, and consolation.
The statement has drawn predictable reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. At first glance, the letter might read like a love letter to Left wingers and a snub of Conservatives’ perspective on the issue. But you have to read it like a Catholic—with precision, not impulse—to see what's truly there, which is balanced, authentic Catholic social teaching. Although it does tilt to the left a bit. I’ll explain.
My take: The letter is quite balanced and deeply Catholic. If it seems to pander to the Left, that's because the Church isn't really "on the Right." The Church teaches Truth and sometimes representing the objective Truth results in the appearance of favoring one political side over the other. I see that in this letter.
“Your faith matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter.”
Sounds like a nod to anti-ICE protesters? But shouldn’t we all be doing “acts of love and works of justice”? Prayer certainly matters, and that’s something we could all be doing more of—praying for peace, not just praying for “our” side to win.
“I am deeply grateful for the countless ways Catholics and all people of good will continue to serve one another and work for peace and justice.”
This again sounds like he’s addressing the Left. But it frames concern for human dignity and the common good in the usual language of Catholic social doctrine.
What you're seeing in the letter/statement is genuine Catholic social teaching at work, not political ideology dressed up as theology.
But here's the thing.
I believe more should have been said in support of border enforcement and immigration law. The document seems to whisper toward it, (“…laws must be respected”) then backs away, without not explicitly saying “violence against Law enforcement has to stop”. And why is the letter so tentative and its language appear to tilt Left. That's probably because the subject is politically explosive territory and the bishop doesn't want to add fuel to the fire. After all, it's the Left who are the reactionaries. The Right may take offense, but they won't torch a city to express their anger.