Pope calls for solidarity in action for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
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Vatican City, Nov 27, 2009 / 10:47 am (CNA).- The Holy Father released a message today regarding the 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to be observed on January 17, 2010.  His Holiness uses these celebrations as opportunities to "express the Church's constant concern for those who, in different ways, experience a life of immigration."  This year, the theme will be 'Minor Immigrants and Refugees.'

Pope Benedict XVI wrote that he wishes to invite "all Christians to become aware of the social and pastoral challenges posed by migrant and refugee minors."  He included that whatever the origins of the migrant minor, whether they be born abroad or in the host country to non-citizen parents or if they be refugees seeking asylum, they are vulnerable to a variety of threats. 

Among the threats to the present and future of these minors is the possibility of social exclusion and lack of access to education, not to mention burdens in the form of political, economic, social, cultural and religious problems. 

However, the Pope emphasized, this is where local and international communities must step in, to establish social and educational structures that "permit and foster" proper development of the individual by nurturing physical, cultural, spiritual and moral awareness.  

"It should never be forgotten that adolescence constitutes a fundamental phase for the formation of human beings," he wrote.

The Pope also directed a part of the letter specifically to parishes and other Catholic associations, asking that they take Jesus' words, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me," to heart and that they remain faithful to the golden rule. 

'Concrete interventions' led to through contemplation of these passages, he relates, should be "nurtured by faith in the action of grace and divine Providence" so that "hospitality and solidarity to strangers, especially if they are children, become a proclamation of the Gospel of solidarity."

"The Church proclaims this," the Holy Father concluded, "when she opens here arms and strives to have the rights of migrants and refugees respected, moving the leaders of nations, and those in charge of international organizations and institutions to promote opportune initiatives for their support."

Read the full message at: http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/24731.php?index=24731&lang=sp#TRADUZIONE%20IN%20LINGUA%20INGLESE

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Lisa
Oklahoma 12/02/2009 12:11 PM EST
Let's look at what is going on in Darfur, in Iraq, and in many other areas of the world where people (Christians) NEED HELP. The Catholic Church is VERY clear on obeying the laws of a country and when, and also on Christ's command to feed and clothe the poor as well as to visit the criminals in prison. It isn't an either/or situation, it is an and/both one. These people throughout the world need HELP--and the children in these war-torn countries suffer the most. This article does not address the laws for legal immigration in the US because it is about something else entirely. The US is not war-torn, and Christians are not being hunted down and mass genocide happening. Are we so ready to tear into each other for opinions on laws in a country that knows peace that we forget that children and other innocents around the world are having to FLEE THEIR LIVES because of horrid conditions and persecution?
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Published by: Jacqueline Kruger
Florham Park, NJ USA 11/30/2009 01:57 PM EST
God has given each one of us a free will to decide whether to help our neighbor in need or not. No where does it say that we should be forced to accept millions of people who broke the law to enter this country. No where does God say that He would accept the breaking of the law to allow millions of illegals to enter a country, to receive free benefits, not pay taxes, send their money back home not helping the economy, etc. ...that is an invasion not migration. With all due respect, what does the Pope say about breaking the law? What does the Pope have to say about the huge numbers invading a country destroying its economy and causing others who work hard to support their families and find that they are out of work and their families are suffering? Who will help them, Your Holiness? God is looking at the entire picture not just those who seem to have less....After all, it is written that we will always have the poor with us. Why do you think that is? Will the Pope strongly speak out against tyranny and corruption?
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Published by: Lisa
Oklahoma 11/29/2009 10:10 AM EST
To Richard, the Holy Father asks that we do not neglect the children in these situations around the world. This has nothing to do with the political battles that are ensuing in the US over illegal immigrants. Any attempt to change this into that argument is ignoring the pleas of the Pope, and the Holy Spirit who prompted him to speak.
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Published by: Enrique Woll
Lima, PERU 11/28/2009 12:06 PM EST
If you have never been an immigrant, in the U.S., you cannot know what it can, and actually is like, for many of them. Yes, there must be many sources of assistance to help them adapt to the social mores, good and bad, in that country. But are those in the direst need aware? Are they reached out to? Are all immigrants Catholic? Did these organizations exist thirty years ago? Probably. The fact is that no one helped me at any of the many times I was an immigrant there. I suffered many forms of social, economic, and moral exclusion, though I reached out for help from the State apparatus in several States. I never heard from church organization except from the Seventh Day Adventists, who were nice and persistent in a pastoral sense. But that was all. I worked for $5.35 an hour in the end. I suffered, and my American family suffered, and still does, the effects of my exclusion, again and again. I was "overqualified", with two B.S. degrees in engineering and an M.B.A. from a leading U.S. University, and three years' work abroad for the largest marketing company in the world: I was "Hispanic", white, of German, Italian, and Spanish ancestry, but Hispanic! And yes, it is right to expect immigrants to enter a country legally, with good intentions, when the country in question enters other countries likewise. Nobody invites immigrants, significantly, but nobody invites armies in either. The difference is that the former are escaping poverty, the latter seeking wealth and domination.
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Published by: Gesse
Cape Town 11/28/2009 01:57 AM EST
Despite I don't agree with the Roman Catholic theology I acknowledge that the leader of that church is right in this regard. Belonging to the Reformed branch of Christianity I also work ministering to refugees for almost one decade. The women and the children are the vulnerable amongst those in the refuge situation. We need to do more to give some dignity in life. Bless you all. Revd. Gesse A. Rios
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Published by: Richard
Pioneer, CA, USA 11/27/2009 09:01 PM EST
Is it wrong, however, to ask the immigrants to enter a country legally?
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Published by: Stephen
USA 11/27/2009 04:14 PM EST
Through numerous Catholic Charities around the world immigrants and refugees have a whole host of programs to help them when they and their families are at a very vulnerable time in their lives. We must do everything humanly possible to quote Jesus Christ, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
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