The statement this week from hundreds of U.S. Catholic bishops expressing solidarity with immigrants and criticizing "indiscriminate mass deportation" energized some of Long Island’s 1.2 million Catholics and worried others.

"I would say it’s about time," said Sister Janet Kinney, director of the Long Island Immigration Clinic for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood. "This sends a message to our political leaders who we voted into office of how we feel — how we feel when we see indiscriminate sweeps of people off the streets, day laborers picked up, stakeouts outside of our schools."

William Donohue, president of the Manhattan-based Catholic League, faulted the document for failing to distinguish between "legal and illegal immigrants" and described the bishops’ dismay over deportation

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