The three Catholic bishops of Colorado called for sound immigration reform and respectful dialogue on the issue, as Catholic leadership support increased for better laws than currently being considered in Congress.

Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Colorado Springs Bishop Michael J. Sheridan and Pueblo Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya addressed the immigration issue March 18 at the Living the Catholic Faith Conference, a two-day event sponsored by the Knights of Columbus in Denver.

"Our goal is that any reform will be comprehensive, it will be fair and reasonable and that we always understand that we're dealing with human beings in all of these circumstances," said Archbishop Chaput.

The church in Colorado wants to do all it can to be part of the national Catholic immigration reform campaign currently under way, he said, and to "make sure that this complex issue is handled without angry rhetoric, and that we won't rush to make decisions out of fear."

The previous day the state's bishops issued a joint statement calling for a greater understanding of migrant issues. Each bishop will host at least two town-hall-type meetings in his diocese to discuss immigration reform.

"Before we can change laws, we have to change attitudes, including many within our own church," said Bishop Tafoya. "It's important that (Catholic) leadership is informed. It's surprising how little they know about immigration. What they see is the negative, what they hear is the negative side. When they find out about the positives, that's going to make a big difference."

Nationally, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Catholic organizations launched the campaign "Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope" last May. (See www.justiceforimmigrants.org.)

"This is not a religious issue for us," Archbishop Chaput said. "This is a human rights issue for us. We want our country to reflect all that we've said we stand for since its foundation, and that deals with human rights," the archbishop said.

Across the country, hundreds packed a Baltimore Catholic church where Cardinal William H. Keeler called HR 4437, the immigration bill passed by the House in December, "evil."

"We need legislation that is fair and equitable and will show that we in the United States are a welcoming nation," said Cardinal Keeler, who received a standing ovation from a diverse crowd that included many Spanish-speaking Catholics.

Previously, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta issued a pastoral statement on immigration reform.

---CNS