Turlock reverend: Catholic leaders must denounce Trump’s policies | Opinion

Catholic leaders must denounce Trump

“Data shows 20 ICE arrests at Stanislaus County jail in 2025,” (modbee.com, Dec. 10)

Border Czar Tom Holman claims that bishops should spend their time “fixing the Church” instead of criticizing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. But this argument misses the heart of their mission. Yes, the Catholic Church — like any human institution — has areas that need reform. Yet silence in the face of cruelty would be a far greater failure.

If bishops ignored the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies, they would add another wound to the Church: complicity in injustice.

The duty of bishops, priests and all the faithful is not to protect political leaders from criticism but to proclaim the Gospel without compromise. Whenever a policy — no matter which party it comes from — clearly contradicts the teachings of Jesus, the bishops must denounce it boldly. To do otherwise is to betray both their calling and the people who look to them for moral leadership.

Silence wounds the flock; love compels shepherds to speak.

Fr. Misael Avila

Turlock

Season of giving

“Stanislaus County, CA, holiday drives, meals and donations,” (modbee.com, Oct. 31)

I was pleased and encouraged to read a Bee article asking folks to look in their closets for usable coats and jackets that could be given to the homeless to help keep them warm this winter. Simple ideas can go a long way.

In this season of giving, it makes people feel good to give to those in need. I encourage those who can to donate items or cash to local charities. Local nonprofits like the Salvation Army, Modesto Gospel Mission and Church in the Park all have websites where you can donate.

Daniel March

Modesto

A wonderful service

“$18 million Modesto Library modernization continues. Asbestos remediation completed,” (modbee.com, Dec. 6)

I want to commend the Stanislaus County Library on their delivery program. They bring library books to your home if you are disabled or cannot come in person.

Since I have been disabled, I have been unable to come to the library to check out items. What a wonderful service they are performing for the community.

David Shirk

Modesto

McClintock opposes gerrymandering, right?

“Update: Gray, McClintock react to Prop. 50 passage. How did Stanislaus vote?” (modbee.com, Nov. 5)

Rep. Tom McClintock is quoted on Nov. 7 in this newspaper saying, “The passage of Prop. 50 is a tragedy for California and an affront to representational democracy. It effectively diminishes millions of California voters who cast their votes for Republicans.”

Based on his remarks, we should be able to count on McClintock to support bipartisan legislation to ban gerrymandering nationwide and create independent redistricting commissions in each state.

Kent Mitchell

Riverbank

Fixing health care

“Central Valley hospitals address healthcare challenges,” (modbee.com, Sep. 23)

In our health care debate, we overlook one truth: Americans share the same goal. We want affordable, dependable care that doesn’t sink families into debt.

As a progressive Democrat who worked in Congress, I learned that breakthroughs happen when leaders negotiate honestly. President George W. Bush’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program is proof: Democrats and Republicans worked together and saved over 20 million lives from HIV/AIDS.

We need that spirit now.

The American Care Act expanded coverage but didn’t stop rising costs. Conservatives emphasize competition. Progressives emphasize public solutions. In reality, both sides are half-right.

Working together, we can fix health care.

Pearl Alice Marsh

Patterson