Chaput hears load of gripes

Anglo parishioners frustrated about immigration's impact

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 25, 2006 at midnight

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Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput got an earful Monday from a packed audience of mostly Anglo, middle-class parishioners frustrated over the impact of illegal immigrants on society and their perceived reluctance to learn English.

"Wherever I go, I see English and Spanish (signs) - why not Polish?" asked a woman who said she emigrated from Poland decades ago. As she spoke, a standing-room-only crowd of more than 400 people at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial erupted in applause and cheers.

"I've always said it was good for people to learn English," Chaput said.

It was the archbishop's second town hall meeting on immigration reform, but in a far different cultural setting than last Monday's meeting at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Greeley, where the pastor estimates 60 percent of his parishioners are immigrants. That town hall meeting was conducted in both Spanish and English.

Chaput said another town hall meeting is being scheduled in a mountain town, and there may be more.

In an interview before Monday's lively, English-only meeting got under way, Chaput said Anglos tell him privately they are worried about the impact of illegals on hospitals and schools and are frustrated that immigrants don't seem to appreciate the crisis. However, Chaput said Anglos tell him they feel intimidated about voicing those concerns publicly.

Chaput said hearing such frustrations hasn't changed his mind about the need to protect the dignity of immigrants, "but it might change my personal thoughts about what political solutions are best."

Frustrations got an ample airing Monday night, but the audience also showed support for several immigrant speakers.

"My parents came from Mexico in '08, '09. I'm no bum. I've worked since I was an infant. I went to Korea. There are good, hardworking Mexicans," said one man to applause.

But Chaput was mostly peppered with questions about a society stressed by illegals and the failure to learn English as other generations of immigrants did.

"I know one person here 10 years illegally - she won't speak English," said a woman, 83. "The thing I'm getting is they want to make this another Mexico for themselves.

"I'd like them to stay, but I'm confused," she told the archbishop. "I'm asking for your help."

"I think we're all confused," Chaput said. "These are genuine concerns, and I think you should articulate them to your Mexican friends. There's legitimate room for debate on these things."

Asked about the effect of continued illegal immigration in 10 or 15 years, Chaput said he believed it was a manageable problem that had largely been inflamed "by fear and 9/11."

"I think we can manage it. My ancestors - I'm an American Indian - we can handle this; we're a big country," said Chaput, whose ancestry is French Canadian and Potowanamie Indian.

A questioner who asked what Mexican bishops were doing to improve conditions in Mexico got applause from the audience and a sharp response from Chaput.

"Bishops are encouraging the government not to be corrupt and to create jobs," Chaput said. "They're not encouraging people to leave and come here, and it's not sensible for you to think that they are."

As he left the meeting, contractor John Allen said Chaput didn't soothe the many concerns he has about immigration, such as the fact he has to stipulate in contracts for an English-speaking foreman.

Allen's wife, Alice, interjected, "You want answers, John, but the archbishop's like all of us - he's concerned, but he doesn't know what the answers are."

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