Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This year’s theme is “Migrants and Refugees: Towards a better world”.
When presenting the context of Pope Francis’ message, Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, explained that “the phenomenon of human mobility” is growing rapidly with UN statistics showing that around 232 million people live outside their country of origin. The prelate said: “In spite of difficulties and dramatic situations, migration is an invitation to imagine a different future, in which we glimpse the creation of a ‘better world’. It is an invitation aimed at the development of all humanity, including each person with his or her own spiritual and cultural potential. If we accept that culture is an entirety of spiritual, existential and intellectual aspects that distinguish a society, including also ways of life, fundamental rights, value systems, traditions and beliefs, then it will be possible to confirm that the whole of human existence is permeated by attitudes of encounter and welcome.”
Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, secretary of the above-mentioned Pontifical Council, referred to new modes of communication, films on refugees’ rights that are being produced and telephone help lines that are strictly intended to offer assistance. The Archbishop said: “This is all currently happening in the Middle East, where Syrian refugees are living in refugee camps and, in most cases, in urban areas. On the one hand, this is about ensuring a limit to human suffering, and on the other, to protecting and promoting a dignified life, at the same time offering adequate structures, stability and hope for the future. It must be said that there has been an increase in international minimum standards, for instance in relation to availability of food, shelter, education, healthcare, detention and repatriation. Besides, these international standards are of a qualitative nature and are therefore universal and applicable in any context.”
Fr Gabriele F. Bentoglio, the undersecretary of the same Pontifical Council said, “The migrant emerges as a person and as a citizen with rights and duties and, first as a beneficiary of works of Christian charity, the migrant becomes a subject of evangelization, agent of God's providential plan for the edifying encounter between peoples and the diffusion of the Gospel”.
In his first message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis stressed that “each individual is a part of humanity and, with the entire family of peoples, shares the hope of a better future”.
Migrations reveal “the aspiration of humanity to enjoy a unity marked by respect for differences, by attitudes of acceptance and hospitality, which enable an equitable sharing of the world’s goods and by the protection and the advancement of the dignity and centrality of each human being”.
Unfortunately, the phenomenon of migration which, according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a “sign of the times”, has repeatedly been treated by “violence, exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, restrictive approaches to fundamental freedoms, whether of individuals or of groups”. Reality keeps showing shocking instances where migrants meet blatant “mistrust, rejection and exclusion, to say nothing of tragedies and disasters which offend their human dignity”.
Pope Francis suggests cooperation as a better way to address this global issue. “The reality of migration ... calls for international cooperation and a spirit of profound solidarity and compassion.
“Cooperation at different levels is critical, including the broad adoption of policies and rules aimed at protecting and promoting the human person.” Having said that, each country must create favourable economic and social conditions at home so that emigration will not be the only choice for those seeking justice, security, peace and respect of their entire human dignity.
Finally, Pope Francis praised the communication media’s potential to turn the destructive attitudes of indifference and hostility towards migrants into the fruitful attitude of encounter. Only the latter can build a fairer and more fraternal world. Will the media undertake the privileged mission of promoting this “conversion of attitudes” in the manner migrants and refugees are dealt with?
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann