Going Bishop Wester's way

When it comes to illegal immigrants, there are a thousand roads available. Bishop John C. Wester of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City has chosen to take the high road. As the new president of the Committee on Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he is determined to pull the immigration debate away from politics and into the moral sphere. A recent report released by the group speaks of the "un-Christian treatment of immigrants," a phenomenon, says Bishop Wester, that "lessens us as a nation" and hinders the search for "humane solutions."

Amen, Bishop Wester.

Whether or not the harsh, anti-immigrant rhetoric is fueled by racism is not the issue. The issue is that the lines in the sand are now dug so deep that — like the Hatfields and McCoys — animosity has replaced discourse and fear has given way to frustration and anger.

What's needed is a calming presence, a voice of reason and a clear head.

Bishop Wester is in a position to help provide such things. We're pleased he was chosen for such a high-minded, high-profile mission.

Polarizing people is easy. All you have to do is start a fight. But bringing people together and working toward moral solutions takes patience, wisdom and unshakable faith. Great souls get to be saints not by belittling others and undermining the dignity of their fellow human beings but — like St. Martin de Porres of Peru — by persuading dogs, cats and mice to share a saucer of milk.

Bishop Wester has his work cut out for him in getting people to that saucer. Lifting people's eyes to higher ideals is difficult when they're intent on staring each other down. But his recent comments show he has chosen a good path.

He says America must be a land of laws, "but they should be just laws. The best way to secure our borders is not by draconian measures but rather by a comprehensive bill that will be just and is enforceable because it is."

Right now, the bishop is singing the right tune. The key will be to get bickering souls on both sides to learn the words.

We wish him success and appreciate him shouldering a serious burden at such a crucial time.