Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's fight to close a Catholic Charity he says is operating illegal migrant "Stash Houses" in El Paso has drawn criticism from the Pope - but Paxton isn't backing down.

For almost 50 years the El Paso Catholic Charity "Annunciation House" has taken in poor homeless migrants from the streets of the border city and provided them food, shelter, and other services.

Migrant child climbs steps to one of Annunciation House's shelters in El Paso.Photo byAnnunciation House

Paxton, however, says the charity is actually involved in "human smuggling" (see statement below):

"(Annunciation House) is "an illegal stash house (which allows) others to use its real estate to engage in human smuggling" -Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

In February, his office filed a lawsuit on behalf of the State of Texas that "seeks to revoke Annunciation House’s authorization to do business in Texas and asks the court to appoint a receiver to liquidate their assets."

A Texas court has prevented that from happening - but Paxton has continued filing motions as late as this month in pursuit of his goal of shutting down the charity.

The Catholic Church does not intend to let that happen without a fight.

Pope Francis addressed the Texas vs Annunciation House dispute during a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday, May 19, 2024.Photo byCBS News "60 Minutes"

The latest to weigh in on the Church's behalf: no less than Pope Francis during an interview that aired on CBS-TV's "60 Minutes" last weekend:

“That is madness. The migrant has to be received. Thereafter, you see how you’re going to deal with them. Maybe after you send them back, I don’t know. But each case ought to be considered humanely, right?” - Pope Francis (on "60 Minutes" May 19, 2024)

Also defending Annunciation House is Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso who - in February - issued a strongly-worded statement of support for Annunciation House:

Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of El PasoPhoto byCatholic Diocese of El Paso

"We are now witnessing an escalating campaign of intimidation, fear, and dehumanization in the State of Texas, one characterized by barbed wire, harsh new laws penalizing the act of seeking safety at our border, and the targeting of those who would offer aid as a response of faith. (The church) will vigorously defend the freedom of people of faith and goodwill to put deeply held religious convictions into practice." -Bishop Mark J. Seitz, Catholic Diocese of El Paso (Feb. 22. 2024)

Paxton, however, is not deterred by opposition of the Catholic Church nor does he shy away from the religious aspects of their arguments.

In his most recent court filing, Paxton challenged Annunciation House's claim to be a religious charity (despite being defended by the Pope and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso) stating that "it is highly doubtful whether Annunciation House, as an institution, even has any bona fide religious component."

Mural at Annunciation House which Ken Paxton - according to his latest court filing - doubts "has any bona fide religious component."Photo byAnnunciation House

In a recent news release Paxton says when asked by his office "what religious practices even occur at Annunciation House, its senior staff gave nonsensical answers, including practicing “the seven commandments.”

Those "seven commandments" were also cited in the section of Paxton's recent court filing questioning its legitimacy as a Christian-based organization:

“Annunciation House’s members appear to subscribe to a more Bohemian set of ‘seven commandments,’ including commandments to ‘visit’ people when ‘incarcerated’ and ‘care [for them] when they’re sick.’ -Ken Paxton request for Temporary Injunction against Annunciation House (May 8, 2024)

As Texas Monthly noted in a recent article titled "Ken Paxton Mistakes Catholic Teachings for “Bohemian Commandments,” the magazine writes that the Annunciation House staff was referring to the "Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching" - and those so-called "Bohemian" commandments are the words of Jesus Christ from the 25th Book of Matthew:

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is redoubling efforts to close El Paso's "Annunciation House" migrant shelters he says are "stash houses."Photo byOffice of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

But Attorney General Paxton is pressing on. In his recent news release, Paxton invokes President Biden's name in the state's efforts to close Annunciation House and vows to take the fight to other groups aiding migrants in Texas:

“Any NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) facilitating the unlawful entry of illegal aliens into Texas is undermining the rule of law and potentially jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. All NGOs who are complicit in Joe Biden’s illegal immigration catastrophe and think they are above the law should consider themselves on notice.” - Ken Paxton News Release (May 8, 2024)

Paxton is also doubling down - accusing Annunciation House of committing multiple "felony offenses."

"Annunciation House is engaged in systematic conduct that constitutes illegal alien harboring and operation of a stash house, as a matter of law – both of which constitute felony offenses under the Texas Penal Code." -Ken Paxton request for Temporary Injunction against Annunciation House (May 8, 2024)

A ruling on Paxton's latest request to close Annunciation House has not yet been issued.

What are your thoughts about Ken Paxton's effort to close Annunciation House?

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