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What Saint Thomas Said About Immigration 750 Years Ago
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Everyone can agree: We have a burning immigration crisis in America. Never have so many crossed the border illegally, and never has the government appeared so unwilling to resolve the problem.
As the immigration debate continues, many think that the Catholic Church’s position is one of unconditional charity: no limits, no walls, and no borders. But is that really the case? What does the Bible say about immigration? What does Saint Thomas Aquinas say? Can a medieval Saint
solve a modern problem? Well, he does. In his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica, Saint Thomas has gems of wisdom that apply to the national immigration policy debate today.
Saint Thomas says: “Man’s relations with foreigners are twofold: peaceful, and hostile: and in directing both kinds of relation the Law contained suitable precepts.” Saint Thomas affirms that not all immigrants are equal. Every nation has the right to decide which immigrants are beneficial, that is, “peaceful,” to the common good. As a matter of self- defense, the State can reject criminals, traitors, enemies and others who it deems harmful to its citizens. The second thing he affirms is that the manner of dealing with immigration is determined by law in the cases of both beneficial and “hostile” immigration. The State has the right and duty to apply its law.
Saint Thomas continues: “For the Jews were offered three opportunities of peaceful relations with foreigners. First, when foreigners passed through their land as travelers. Secondly, when they came to dwell in their land as newcomers. And in both these respects the Law made kind provision in its precepts: for it is written, ‘Thou shalt not molest a stranger’” (Exodus 22:21).
Saint Thomas says: “Thirdly, when any foreigners wished to be admitted entirely to their fellowship and mode of worship. With regard to these a certain order was observed. For they were not at once admitted to citizenship: just as it was law with some nations that no one was
deemed a citizen except after two or three generations, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 1).”
Saint Thomas continues: “The reason for this was that if foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down in its midst, many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.”
These are some of the thoughts of Saint Thomas Aquinas on immigration based on biblical principles. It’s clear that good immigration policy has two things in mind: First, the nation’s unity; and second, the common good.
Immigration should have as its goal integration, not disintegration or segregation. Good immigrants not only desire benefits but they assume the responsibilities of joining into the full fellowship of the nation. By becoming a citizen, a person becomes part of a broader family and not just a shareholder with short-term self-interest.
Saint Thomas teaches that immigration must have the common good in mind; it cannot destroy or overwhelm a nation.This explains why so many Americans are uneasy with the flood of mass immigration, flawed catch and release policies, and porous borders. Such bad policy destroys common points of unity and overwhelms the ability of a society to absorb new elements organically into a unified culture. The common good is no longer considered.
A proportional immigration can be healthy for society because it injects new life and qualities into a social body. But when it loses that proportion and undermines the purpose of the State, it threatens the well-being of the nation. We should follow the advice of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The nation must practice justice and charity towards all, including foreigners, but it must above all safeguard the common good and its unity. Without that, no country can long endure.
#Catholic #immigration #policy
Picture Attribution:
Picture: “Groups of figures outside the Damascus gate, Jerusalem. Colo Wellcome”
By Louis Haghe after David Roberts, 1842
(added: crop, opacity, saturation)
Music Attributions:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
As the immigration debate continues, many think that the Catholic Church’s position is one of unconditional charity: no limits, no walls, and no borders. But is that really the case? What does the Bible say about immigration? What does Saint Thomas Aquinas say? Can a medieval Saint
solve a modern problem? Well, he does. In his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica, Saint Thomas has gems of wisdom that apply to the national immigration policy debate today.
Saint Thomas says: “Man’s relations with foreigners are twofold: peaceful, and hostile: and in directing both kinds of relation the Law contained suitable precepts.” Saint Thomas affirms that not all immigrants are equal. Every nation has the right to decide which immigrants are beneficial, that is, “peaceful,” to the common good. As a matter of self- defense, the State can reject criminals, traitors, enemies and others who it deems harmful to its citizens. The second thing he affirms is that the manner of dealing with immigration is determined by law in the cases of both beneficial and “hostile” immigration. The State has the right and duty to apply its law.
Saint Thomas continues: “For the Jews were offered three opportunities of peaceful relations with foreigners. First, when foreigners passed through their land as travelers. Secondly, when they came to dwell in their land as newcomers. And in both these respects the Law made kind provision in its precepts: for it is written, ‘Thou shalt not molest a stranger’” (Exodus 22:21).
Saint Thomas says: “Thirdly, when any foreigners wished to be admitted entirely to their fellowship and mode of worship. With regard to these a certain order was observed. For they were not at once admitted to citizenship: just as it was law with some nations that no one was
deemed a citizen except after two or three generations, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 1).”
Saint Thomas continues: “The reason for this was that if foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down in its midst, many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.”
These are some of the thoughts of Saint Thomas Aquinas on immigration based on biblical principles. It’s clear that good immigration policy has two things in mind: First, the nation’s unity; and second, the common good.
Immigration should have as its goal integration, not disintegration or segregation. Good immigrants not only desire benefits but they assume the responsibilities of joining into the full fellowship of the nation. By becoming a citizen, a person becomes part of a broader family and not just a shareholder with short-term self-interest.
Saint Thomas teaches that immigration must have the common good in mind; it cannot destroy or overwhelm a nation.This explains why so many Americans are uneasy with the flood of mass immigration, flawed catch and release policies, and porous borders. Such bad policy destroys common points of unity and overwhelms the ability of a society to absorb new elements organically into a unified culture. The common good is no longer considered.
A proportional immigration can be healthy for society because it injects new life and qualities into a social body. But when it loses that proportion and undermines the purpose of the State, it threatens the well-being of the nation. We should follow the advice of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The nation must practice justice and charity towards all, including foreigners, but it must above all safeguard the common good and its unity. Without that, no country can long endure.
#Catholic #immigration #policy
Picture Attribution:
Picture: “Groups of figures outside the Damascus gate, Jerusalem. Colo Wellcome”
By Louis Haghe after David Roberts, 1842
(added: crop, opacity, saturation)
Music Attributions:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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