Catholic bishops’ statement following the passage of SF 481

April 6, 2018

We, the Catholic Bishops of Iowa, have voiced principled opposition to Senate File 481 and are profoundly disappointed that it was passed by the Legislature.

We ask Governor Reynolds to do the right thing and veto the bill. This is the right thing to do, because Iowans should be looking to help immigrants, not to harass them.

In remarks she made in Sigourney earlier this month, Senator Ernst gave good reasons to support immigrants:

“States like Iowa, we’re not really growing. We have a very elderly population. So how do we find a way to bring in good workers into the State of Iowa and have children… in our school systems.”

Our energy, therefore, should be directed toward finding a solution so that immigrants are welcome here, and as a consequence, strengthen our communities with their families, enrich our social fabric by their faith and their cultural heritage, and provide a good and stable workforce.

As we move forward, we Christians are bolstered by the hope of Christ this Easter season. It is He who taught: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was … a stranger and you welcomed me …”

The Good Samaritan presents a wonderful model of a disciple of Christ. He alone stops to minister to the stranger in urgent need along the wayside.

Most Rev. Michael Jackels

Archbishop of Dubuque

Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula

Bishop of Davenport

Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless

Bishop of Sioux City

Most Rev. Richard Pates

Bishop of Des Moines