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Tancredo Criticizes Pope's Immigration Comments

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Apr 18, 2008 9:27 am US/Mountain

Tancredo Criticizes Pope's Immigration Comments

DENVER (CBS4) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo. (File)
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Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., criticized Pope Benedict XVI Thursday for his comments on the United States immigration policy. Benedict reportedly said the U.S. must do everything possible to "fight all forms of violence so that immigrants may lead dignified lives."

"I would like to know what part of our lax immigration policy is considered violent," Tancredo said in a prepared statement. "I fail to see how accepting more refugees than any other nation and providing free health care, education, housing and social service benefits to millions of illegal aliens is in any way violent or degrading."

Benedict has followed the policy of many Catholic leaders in the U.S. to support a more open immigration program.

The pope reportedly pushed the issue during meetings with President Bush and during a speech to U.S. Catholic Bishops.

"I am not taking issue with the pope's moral authority and respect his views on the threats of Islamic immigration," Tancredo said. "However, it is not in his job description to engage in American politics.

"I suspect the pope's immigration comments may have less to do with spreading the gospel than they do about recruiting new members of the church," said Tancredo. "This isn't preaching, it is faith-based marketing."