Illegal Immigration

* Cardinal Roger Mahony’s statement to the Commission on Human Rights strikes a raw nerve (Dec. 11). He admonishes us for concern about illegal immigration and says that we are social sinners if we try to control it through the political process.

We agree with the cardinal that a “real solution” must be offered. We believe, however, that his encouragement of the Third World’s population explosion is the greatest obstacle to any solution. We must be compassionate, but treating the symptom of illegal immigration while promoting the cancer of overpopulation is immoral and hypocritical! Just who is sinning here?

WILLIAM and JANE RALEIGH

Santa Clarita

* So, Cardinal Mahony believes that trying to curb illegal immigration is a sin. I guess that means that now the Catholic Church intends to help pay for our overcrowded schools and our overburdened social services. This is quite a statement, coming from a spokesperson for an organization that pays no taxes.

ARNIE VELAZQUEZ

Venice

* Cardinal Mahony’s outburst against controlling illegal immigration is unbelievable. These are illegals we’re talking about! I thought the Catholic Church was supposed to be on the side of the law. If he wants no limits placed on the number of illegals and the services provided them, then let the church pay for it! Let the Vatican sell its vast collection of art treasures (maybe the new owners would have enough respect for the masters who created them not to paint over “offending areas,” as so many Popes had done with the Sistine Chapel ceiling).

FRANK W. HEISER

Riverside