The US bishops applauded the Supreme Court’s June 27 decision blocking the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 census under the reasons proffered by the Commerce Department.
“We affirm last week’s decision by the Supreme Court that the inclusion of a citizenship question must ensure genuine reasons for such inclusion,” Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice and Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin, chairs of the USCCB’s domestic justice and migration committees, said July 2.
“We reaffirm that all persons in the United States should be counted in the Census regardless of their immigration status and reemphasize our judgment that questions regarding citizenship should not be included in the Census. We hope that this view will prevail, whether by administrative action or judicial determination.”
The administration had argued for its inclusion under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, saying it could strengthen protections for minorities.
But some researchers at the Census Bureau had found that including the citizenship question could lower the response rate of minority and immigrant households, lowering the quality of the census data.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
“US Bishops applaud Supreme Court ruling.” So reads the story headline. Well, I suppose it is not untruthful as there was a total of two US Bishops listed in the article. Sure makes one wonder what the rest of the US Bishops think about this. Just confirms me in my decision to close my wallet.
Many reasons to close one’s wallet, Xavier. I find the the article unclear in that there is no statement whether the Bishops spoke as individuals or with more general authority.
Many secular media say the census count must be by inhabitants, not citizens. This makes a BIG difference in the number of members of Congress for each state, distribution of appropriations, etc.
I agree, Xavier. I’ve stopped contributing to the parish and only give to religious orders and organizations that adhere to Church teaching.
Like much in American history, improvements are made to our society, as we learn of mistakes and shortcomings and seek to correct them. Of course the Census should be only of “citizens.” People that hare come to America illegally and intend to stay are wrongly interfering with our society if they are treated fully as citizens. We must be humane to them, certainly, but to treat them in all respects as full citizens is wrong. No State should have more US representatives due to the presence of illegals. Justice Roberts is so misguided.
St Christopher: read the US Constitution. It states ALL residents of the country are to be counted in the census…not citizens! We should not be messing with the Constitution. I support the recent decision of the Supreme Court…and the president should abide by it.
The USCCB is corrupt. They love issuing proclamations about secular issues where faithful Catholics could take either position and remain a good Christian. They immediately denounced pro-life high school student Nick Sandmann, because they wanted to be in the good graces of CNN. They denounced this brave young man before even waiting for the facts. And McCarrick Church and all the molestation and scandal bishops have created? That’s not a priority for them. Please direct your money away from corrupt bishops, and give only to faithful Catholic organizations.
U.S. bishops should keep to their knitting.