Bishop praises farmworker deal

McDonald's agreed to pay more for tomatoes to help the pickers

By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ

Since it was announced that he would replace former Bishop John Nevins a year ago, Bishop Frank Dewane of the Catholic Diocese of Venice has said little about his position on farmworkers and illegal immigration.

But a recent agreement reached between McDonald's Corp. and the nonprofit Coalition of Immokalee Workers gave Dewane the chance to speak out. Dewane praises the compromise in which McDonald's agreed to pay a penny more per pound for Florida-grown tomatoes to help increase wages and working conditions for farmworkers.

Dewane's predecessor, Nevins, was known as a staunch supporter for rights of illegal immigrants and migrant workers, especially those among the more than 230,000 Catholics in the diocese -- which includes Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.

Dewane was ordained as bishop in July, and officially installed as leader of the 10-county diocese in January after Nevins retired at age 75.

The Herald-Tribune talked with Dewane in a phone interview about the McDonald's case and to find out his thoughts on immigration in the United States.

Here's what he had to say:

Q.      Why did you feel it was so important to speak out on the McDonald's/Immokalee agreement?

A.      "The church and church leaders have to speak out on those issues of justice and fairness. (The increase) only brings the workers up to poverty level, and that's better than where they were, but that's also still a tough living. ... I think it was a positive step forward."

Q.      What is your impression of the workers you have met and the conditions they live in?

A.      "They live in very difficult conditions. My impression is they wanted something better for their children. ... What they are looking for would be nothing different than any group of parents or young people looking for a future. You want other opportunities. You want to see the fruits of your labor."

Q.      What is your stance on the illegal immigration issue as it stands now?

A.      "My concern is, under present legislation, various church activities would force us to be quasi-immigration enforcement officials, and that is not our role. ... The church Scriptures say that we are responsible to help our brothers and sisters. 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"

Q.      Should illegal immigrants be sent back or be allowed to stay?

A.      "It is not my intent to take a stance to go back or stay -- right now. That will be legislated. My intent is to point out that they are human beings.

They strive for a better life for themselves and their families ... There is a double responsibility not to just address the issue of whether to send them back, but send them back to what? Why not look to the development situation in the countries of origin of the migrants? And could not developed countries contribute more to fostering a true economic development that will increase the living standard of the individuals in their own country?"