United States – “Whatever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do to Me”
Featured

25 January 2018

(ANS – New Rochelle) – On Sunday, January 14, 2018, Pope Francis celebrated the Sunday morning Mass in St. Peter’s to mark the church’s 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has demonstrated a special predilection for migrants and refugees. “Migrants and refugees don't represent just a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved” he has said.

By Fr Tom Brennan, SDB

His first trip abroad as Pontiff was to visit migrants and refugees on Lampedusa, an island that became a focal point for receiving migrants and refugees fleeing war and oppression. Thousands perished as they took the perilous journey in boats that were not sea worthy. The homily he delivered on the day of his visit was an impassioned plea to the world community to respond to the suffering of those who find themselves on the move. He presented this as an obligation, not a request. Notably, in the reform of the Curia, Pope Francis personally oversees all migration issues (http://bit.ly/2c0LplP), and he has established a Migrant and Refugee Section in the Curia.

The US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has also been calling on the Church of the USA to raise our awareness of and compassion for migrants. This year they sponsored a week of prayer and activities January 7-13, 2018, with the theme “Many Journeys, One Family”. In announcing the week and theme the bishops said that it was “…  an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.” They sought to draw “… attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.”

In light of the ongoing debate in the USA, the statement the bishops made about migration, one that was prepared many months ago, is important for us to reflect on. It should also move us to take action on behalf of the vulnerable men, women and children who have often found themselves living in fear and feeling that they are considered less worthy than other children of God.

“Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.”

While many of us may not have participated in the formal week of prayer and action on migration, it seems timely and prophetic for us to now raise the issue in our ministries on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Working for justice and the dignity of all peoples is not limited to a week of prayer, a homily, a class, a workshop, a poster or a petition. It demands that we work to create a culture of encounter and inclusion every day. We need to utilize all the means available to us, including social media. Imagine the impact of many committed prophetic voices regularly speaking of the dignity and contributions of migrants and refugees on the various platforms of social media.

The USCCB produced a number of resources to assist those who would like to lead their faith communities in prayer on the topic of Migration. While they were produced to facilitate involvement in the Migration Week awareness campaign, they can be utilized throughout the year. Resources can be accessed through the links provided here.

Prayer Resources

Please download a digital copy of the National Migration Week 2018 Prayer Card

Use this collection of prayers for use in your National Migration Week celebrations.

This sample homily can be used to help frame a message to parishioners on migration and its longstanding significance in the Church's moral tradition. 

Please use these petitions at your National Migration Week Mass, or during any celebration that reflects on the situation confronting migrants. 

Please download the National Migration Week Toolkit.

The dignity and common humanity of all people must be honored and respected by all people no matter where they were born, no matter their social status. In the midst of the ongoing debates, will we stand up for the dignity of all as children of God? Will we speak strongly about our shared humanity and worth? Will we engage in Gospel inspired dialog to address the problems that arise from irregular migration? Will we be prophetic disciples?

Saint Pope John XXIII in Pacem in Terris (1963) reminded us of the human right to seek out a better life for oneself and one’s family. He made his point while also reminding us all that the family of nations had agreed on this right in their passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Governments throughout the world are to use this Declaration as a template for their own good governance. This is what Saint Pope John said: “In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 1948) in most solemn form, the dignity of a person is acknowledged to all human beings; and as a consequence there is proclaimed, as a fundamental right, the right of free movement in search for truth and in the attainment of moral good and of justice, and also the right to a dignified life”.

In his homily at the Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, (January 14, 2018) celebrated with a number of migrants and refugees living in the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis stressed that migration today is a sign of the times. "Every stranger who knocks on our door is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ, who identifies himself with the foreigner who has been accepted or rejected in every age”.

He went on to say: “In today’s world, for new arrivals to welcome, to know and to acknowledge means to know and respect the laws, the culture and the traditions of the countries that take them in. It even includes understanding their fears and apprehensions for the future. For local communities to welcome, to know and to acknowledge newcomers means to open themselves without prejudices to their rich diversity, to understand the hopes and potential of the newly arrived as well as their fears and vulnerabilities. … I would like to reaffirm that our common response could be articulated around four verbs founded on the principles of the Church's doctrine: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating.

Migrants and refugees are our brothers and sisters. Pope Francis asks us to make sure that this is our starting point as we seek to enact and enforce policies that guarantee the rights of those on the move and those of the receiving communities. When the dialog begins with acknowledging what unites us and our shared humanity dignity, promoting just policies that are guided by Gospel values and Catholic Social Doctrine are more possible. When fear of the “other” and denying their equal humanity, dignity and worth directs the discussion, injustice follows.

As Salesians we are passionate about accompanying vulnerable and marginalized youths and their families. Our experience assisting those who are excluded and discarded can help inform the public dialog on migrants and refugees. Will we accept the call of Pope Francis to help create a culture of encounter and inclusion?

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".