LET’S TALK
September 2007
(This is the first in a series of short articles on issues that revolve around the Church’s social doctrine)
At this time of the year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops publishes a Labor Day Statement. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the bishop of Brooklyn and chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee was charged with composing the statement. In the statement of 2006 it was stated: Immigration is not a new reality. We are a nation and a Church built by immigrants. However, immigration raises continuing questions with new urgency. Who is an American? Who is our neighbor? (USCCB, Labor Day Statement, September 4, 2006).
Immigration is not a new reality to Saint John’s University. In fact in 1970 this University was established to provide an affordable education to the sons and daughters of the new immigrants, the working class and the poor. Therefore we cannot distance ourselves from this issue because it raises fundamental questions for us as a university, questions with new urgency. Who is a member of the Saint John’s University community? Who is our colleague? Who is our roommate or classmate?
This year the bishops took up the same theme in their statement entitled: A Time to Remember; a Time to Recommit. They review the events of the past year and state: What did not go well was the national debate over immigration … This vital national immigration discussion polarized our people, paralyzed the Congress, and failed our nation. This debate was truly a case of “more heat than light,” more passion than progress. In my view, sometimes anger trumped wisdom, myths overwhelmed facts, and slogans replaced solutions. After this debate, we are a society more divided, a people more confused, and a nation unable to move forward on one of the most serious and complicated issues we face as a nation … This debate brought out some of the worst in us. Now we need to draw on the best in us if we are ever going to move forward as whole, healthy society and nation (USCCB, Labor Day Statement, September 3, 2007).
This afternoon I had a very unexpected encounter with two workers, Vic and Frank, who are involved in the construction of the new town houses on campus. I believe that our conversation is an example of what is the best in us --- the best in us as human beings and the best in us as a University. Vic spoke about the struggles that he and his wife had as they helped their son obtain a degree in architecture at Ohio State. Then Frank looked at me and said: Father, don’t ever forget what makes Saint John’s the most unique University in the city. You were founded to help the children of the working class and the poor. He then said: Let me tell you a story. In the mid 1980’s my son was a student at Saint John’s. I lost my job and was unable to come up with the necessary funds to make tuition payments. I went to the Financial Aid Office and spoke with Mr. Rodriguez and told him that I would have to withdraw my son from the University because I could no longer afford to pay for his education. Mr. Rodriguez told me to go home and he would call me later in the day. Ten minutes after I arrived home I received a call and was told there was nothing to worry about --- Saint John’s would cover the tuition cost and as a result my son was able to graduate from this University. Frank then added: This is why my family is so grateful to Saint John’s and always remembers Saint John’s.
I have no doubt that there are countless other stories like Frank’s and Vic’s. How can we draw on the best in us and thus recommit ourselves to defend the lives, dignity and rights of all human beings and assure the working class and the poor that our doors will always remain open to them?
Charles T. Plock, C.M.
Director of Social Justice