Immigration has long been debated, raising questions about justice, mercy, and the common good. In Washington, D.C., this conversation takes center stage as Donald Trump begins his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States and Cardinal Robert McElroy prepares for his installation as Archbishop. This convergence of leadership highlights a striking contrast: a president whose immigration policies often align with Catholic teaching on law and order and a cardinal whose rhetoric prioritizes “radical inclusion” at the expense of the Church’s balanced doctrine.
Trump’s focus on border security and lawful entry reflects the Church’s consistent teaching on the right of nations to regulate their borders, as outlined in papal encyclicals such as Exsul Familia Nazarethana (1952). Meanwhile, while emphasizing mercy, McElroy’s advocacy for open borders neglects justice and order—principles equally central to Catholic teaching.
This article explores the contrasting visions of these two leaders: Trump, a political figure shaping immigration policy through governance, and McElroy, a spiritual leader entrusted with shepherding the faithful. While Trump is not Catholic and does not fully embrace or embody Catholic teaching on all topics, his stance on immigration upholds certain principles of justice and order more consistently than some members of the Church hierarchy, including Cardinal McElroy.
Catholic Teaching on Immigration
The Church’s stance on immigration upholds individuals’ dignity while affirming nations’ right to regulate migration.
Catholic teaching on immigration is rooted in the balance between the individual’s dignity and the state’s responsibility to uphold the common good. This dual mandate is central in documents such as Exsul Familia Nazarethana (Pope Pius XII, 1952), emphasizing that migration is a natural right, particularly for those fleeing persecution or dire need. However, it also underscores that exercising this right must respect the legal frameworks of receiving nations.
Similarly, Rerum Novarum (Pope Leo XIII, 1891) and Quadragesimo Anno (Pope Pius XI, 1931) emphasize that the state has the right and the duty to enforce laws that safeguard social order and protect its citizens. Pope Pius XII reinforced this principle in Exsul Familia Nazarethana (1952), highlighting that while individuals have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and families, this right must be exercised within the boundaries of just laws and the common good of the host nation. These teachings affirm that nations are morally obligated to regulate immigration in a way that balances justice and mercy, always considering the dignity of migrants.
This principle is deeply rooted in Scripture. St. Paul writes in Romans 13:1-2: “Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God,” (Romans 13:1-2). St. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 2:13-14, urging Christians: “Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God’s sake: whether it be to the king as excelling; Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of the good.” These passages emphasize the divine origin of legitimate authority and the Christian duty to respect laws that uphold order and justice, principles that seamlessly align with the Church’s balanced teaching on immigration.
McElroy’s Open Borders Focus
Cardinal McElroy’s public stance on immigration reflects a strong commitment to the dignity of migrants and the need for compassion in policy-making. He has repeatedly called for prioritizing human rights over enforcement measures, such as deportations. However, his singular focus on mercy reduces the Church’s broader teaching on immigration, neglecting the equally vital principles of justice and order.
Critics highlight a troubling inconsistency in McElroy’s leadership (NBC San Diego). While he advocates mercy for immigrants, his actions as a prelate raise serious concerns about his application of this same principle to those under his authority. Reports from his tenure in San Diego detail his failure to adequately address cases of abuse, including allegations of Satanic sex rituals involving one of his priests (Leila Miller Blog). This perceived disregard for victims under his care starkly contrasts his advocacy for those outside his direct responsibility, leading to accusations of hypocrisy (California Catholic Daily).
Additionally, McElroy’s framing of issues like “indiscriminate deportations” often aligns more closely with progressive political trends than with the Church’s balanced teaching. Echoing Scripture and Tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2241) explicitly states that immigrants must respect the laws of their host nation, assist in carrying civic burdens, and show gratitude for their new country’s material and spiritual heritage—principles his approach overlooks.
Trump’s Border Security Focus
In contrast to McElroy, Donald Trump’s immigration policies align more closely with the Catholic principle that nations have the right to secure their borders and regulate migration to ensure the common good. His insistence on lawful immigration reflects the Church’s teaching that the rule of law is foundational to a just society.
The topic of constructing a border wall finds an interesting parallel in Vatican City, which is surrounded by walls as a measure of protection. Pope Francis criticized the building of walls instead of bridges during Trump’s first presidential tenure (CNN). The Pontiff’s critique has led many to question the consistency of Vatican City’s walls, a historical and practical example of balancing openness with security. This juxtaposition underscores that hospitality does not negate the need to maintain boundaries.
Selective Emphasis Distorts Teaching
Some spiritual leaders fragment the faith by emphasizing one aspect of Catholic teaching while neglecting others. For instance, Cardinal McElroy elevates compassion at the expense of the Church’s teachings on law and order, fostering confusion among the faithful. This selective presentation creates the irony that, on specific topics, a non-Catholic political leader like Donald Trump reflects Catholic principles more accurately than some within the Church hierarchy.
Catholic teaching is not a buffet from which shepherds can pick and choose; it is an integrated whole that requires justice, mercy, truth, and love. Attempts to selectively present these elements distort the Church’s moral authority in the eyes of the faithful, leading to confusion. Such distortions do not represent the fullness of Catholic teaching but instead misrepresent it, undermining the integrity of the faith and leading some astray.
A Model of Obedience
Donald Trump and Cardinal McElroy’s leadership in Washington, D.C., invite Catholics to reflect on upholding justice and mercy while avoiding extremes that compromise orthodoxy. The Holy Family offers a timeless model of balancing respect for authority with charity.
When Caesar Augustus decreed a census, Mary and Joseph complied, traveling to Bethlehem. Later, they sought refuge in Egypt within the legal bounds of the Roman Empire, demonstrating respect for legitimate authority even in challenging circumstances. This example guides Catholics today, who can apply these lessons by advocating for lawful immigration, supporting policies that uphold national sovereignty, and aiding migrants through just and charitable means. Above all, Catholics must remain focused on the salvation of souls, ensuring compassion never obscures justice and truth.
While often criticized, Trump’s policies reflect a commitment to the rule of law and border protection—principles congruent with Catholic teaching. In contrast, McElroy’s selective emphasis on compassion undermines the Church’s teachings on justice and order. As Catholics face ideological divides, they are called to rise above partisanship, faithfully defend the fullness of their faith, and bear witness to the harmony of justice and mercy.
Great article! Too often we focus only on the Mercy elements of God, but disregard or minimize HIS justice. They are equal. I’m reminded of this after reading and rereading ‘The Last Four Things’. Pax Christi.
I agree…it’s the same with Christ’s message of repentance. The biggest issue I have from the Pope on down to the local parish is the message of mercy while dropping the part about repenting and turning away from sin. You can’t have one without the other!
Pray everyday for President Donald Trump and our nation.
Say goodbye Novus Ordo
Hoping the Lepanto Inst. will address the public letter that Cardinal Cupich has just released. I am discouraged that people on social media (a personal acquaintance that is in a “teaching” role in her parish) are sharing that around as a reason to bash the current administration, and gloss over all the wrong things the Church is doing by passing off its taxpayer funded migrant resettlement programs as merciful and compassionate. This is a battle lay Catholics must stand up and engage in. American taxpayers should NOT be responsible for the resettlement of migrants who first broke the law by coming here illegally. If the Catholic Church et al wants to support migrant transitional efforts AFTER the migrant person has been properly vetted and adjudicated, then the Church should do so out of its OWN coffers and only in cooperation and compliance with the law.
This doesn’t even touch on the deplorable lack of oversight by the Church in keeping track of those they have sponsored into the country. It is beyond disingenuous of Cardinal Cupich or any other of the Prelates in the U.S. to address only the mercy side of the immigration issue, pulling at the emotions of faithful Catholics but selectively leaving out the WHOLE truth.
The immigration system within the U.S. Federal govt. is completely broken. This is an opportunity for a complete overhaul of that system, and I pray that will happen. It must be required that NGO’s including the Catholic Church, submit and publish regular evidence based factual and comprehensive numbers regarding how much taxpayer money these entities have been granted, and the specific by line item usages of the money. Then the same NGO’s must be required to name and photo identify the migrant persons they have aided and sponsored, through which specific NGO office that person was aided, and the dispensation of that person (their photo identification, a detailed account of the way in which the NGO assisted that person, and current whereabouts if known). And therein lies the rub. Because most NGO’s very likely have zero idea where 90% or more of these individuals that they have aided actually are. And even less idea if the person has committed crimes or had a prior criminal history, or are currently gainfully and legally employed, etc. I very much doubt that there are auditing mechanisms in place at many of these NGO’s because they’ve “processed” millions of people in the last 4 years alone. In that same effort, our state and Federal governments MUST audit these NGO’s yearly, and audit thier own govt. systems to ensure transparency, and minimize any fraud that could be perpetrated.
A migration explosion has occurred in the last the 4 years, and finally reached its boiling point when in the last election the American people said ENOUGH. While it is likely that most American taxpayers do want to be compassionate and merciful, which is a hallmark of Americans, it is unlikely they want to do so to their own detriment. LEGAL and orderly migration, and a justice system that enforces the nations laws governing that migration are the minimum we should demand from our governing bodies, and from the Catholic Church and other NGO’s that purport to assist in these processes. Opening the flood gates to anyone and everyone without concern or care for the consequences has not been a compassionate nor a merciful means by which to treat people who desire to migrate here for a better life.
Many are questioning why the Cardinals and Bishops do not speak out more loudly and as vigorously on the tragically vast numbers of deaths from drug overdoses, the horrific murders and sexual assaults committed by migrants here illegally, and most disconcerting, the numbers of children who appear to have gone missing in this disastrous bid to change the human landscape of America.
This is Pandora’s box. Mercy and compassion must also include justice and adherence to the law. The mission of the Church includes a requirement to abide by and support the laws of the country they are spreading the Gospel in. That is Biblical, and is what the Church herself teaches. The Church however does not teach that the Samaritan should pass by the needy, and run into town and ask the towns governing body for help. And if it is teaching that, it is teaching falsely.
Please publically call out the woefully disingenuous letter that Card. Cupich has so deftly penned to further gin up angst and ire amongst the American citizenry, but that only speaks half truths about a hugely complicated problem that it would appear the USCCB has been complicit in fomenting.
Thank you