Catholic bishop blesses pilgrims marching for change in immigration laws
By Stephen Magagnini
smagagnini@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Last Modified: Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 - 7:49 am
Chanting "sí se puede!" "Yes we can!" with their fists and hands raised high, 1,000 people packed Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Sunday to cheer 11 pilgrims who will march 285 miles from Sacramento to Bakersfield calling for a change to immigration law.
Bishop Jaime Soto blessed the 11 pilgrims who plan to walk 21 days in support of 11 million "aspiring Americans" without legal papers.
"Our hope and our faith in immigration reform has always been inspired by our faith in human dignity and the word of God and God's strength, wisdom and overwhelming charity," Soto said in Spanish and English.
While there has been much resistance among some Americans to immigration proposals in Congress that would change immigration law, Soto said to a standing ovation: "America is stronger when we all participate to create a humane society. We believe this journey is a journey of faith and journey of hope."
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/12/5642322/catholic-bishop-blesses-pilgrims.html