After Times Select, I had just about given up going through the NYT, except through external links to specific articles. Today I just happened to read their editorial. Seems the old Grey Lady still has a little bit of soul left. This is one of the most heartfelt articles, after the Newsweek article about 'Palace Revolt' that I have read. I diaried about that one, so might as well do this one. After all, anything which hits and tugs at my heart must be worth reading for others too...
The cardinal is right to argue that the government has no place criminalizing the charitable impulses of private institutions like his, whose mission is to help people with no questions asked.... Through Catholic Charities and local parishes, the church is frequently the help of last resort for illegal immigrants in need. It should not be made an arm of the immigration police as well.
Cardinal Mahony's declaration of solidarity with illegal immigrants, for whom Lent is every day, is a startling call to civil disobedience, as courageous as it is timely. We hope it forestalls the day when works of mercy become a federal crime.
Link
Normally, the NYT's editorials are full of crap. Bloviating, elitist and without the slightest bit of real depth or feeling. Purely academic. But for this one editorial, the depth of feeling the writer has seems to have slipped out. I recommend you read it fully. It's short - hardly half a page and well worth it. I could write a lot about the pros and cons, but somehow, that half a page seems enough.