Mass calling for immigration reform draws thousands to downtown LA

Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered for a special Massu2009Sunday in support of comprehensive immigration reform at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Losu2009Angeles.

The Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants, presided by Archbishopu2009Jose H. Gomez, followed a procession of immigrants originally from Latinu2009America and beyond at the Cathedralu2009Plaza.

“As we continue to celebrate who we are as Catholics and as people of faith during this Year of Faith, we recognize that we are an Immigrantu2009Church and take seriously the Gospel call to welcome the stranger among us,” the Archdiocese of Losu2009Angeles said in a statement on the Cathedral’s Website.

Referring to it as a pivotal moment for the debate on immigration reform, the Archdiocese asked God to guide the nation’s elected officials as they attempt to fix the country’s “broken immigration system.”

Some 11u2009million immigrants are living in the country illegally. The U.S. Supreme court, in a 4-4 tie in June, blocked two proposed deferred action programs initiated by President Barack Obama that would have granted temporary deportation relief to millions of these immigrants, including parents of U.S.-bo children.

— Brenda Gazzar

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