Bishop: "I Will Become a Criminal" For Immigrants

So there's been a lot of jumping up and down about Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa's recent notes on good liturgy. It's tickled many ears.

At the same time, however, the same bishop has also had some notable things to say on the recent push for immigration reform which might not make his newfound cheerleaders so enthused.

And if you're surprised about that, you haven't been paying attention.

In Oklahoma, Tulsa Bishop Edward J. Slattery joined Cardinal Mahony in saying that if a law is passed criminalizing the act of aiding illegal immigrants "then I will become a criminal."

"Bishop Slattery joined Cardinal Mahony...."

Let a thousand semantic contortions bloom.

"When it becomes a crime to love the poor and serve their needs, then I will be the first to go to jail for this crime, and I pray that every priest and every deacon in this diocese will have the courage to walk with me into that prison," [Slattery] said April 2 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Tulsa.

Take comfort, Slatterettes -- he said this during a well-executed liturgy.

Glass chalices, jail, Redemptionis sacramentum and the preferential option for the poor.... What a grab-bag these days are turning out to be.

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