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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Immigration

Letter from John McCarthy to Paul Tanner, June 1, 1965

John McCarthy, the director of the new Department of Immigration at the NCWC, wrote this memo to Msgr. Paul Tanner, the secretary-general of the NCWC, summarizing recent conversations about the American Catholic Church's support for the proposed immigration legislation of 1965. This memo discusses the NCWC's plans for a publicity campaign to raise support for immigration reform among members of Congress and in the general public.

 

McCarthy to Tanner
 

Questions:

As you read the document, reflect on the following questions:

  • What does McCarthy say would be the first step in gaining the support of members of the Catholic hierarchy for the new legislation?
  • What kinds of organizations does McCarthy propose to work with in getting the facts about the bill to the "grass-roots"?
  • Why do you think Mr. McPherson stressed caution in the publicity campaign?