The document proposes to further explore the need to reconstitute ourselves into a single "us" that is increasingly broader and more welcoming and that embraces all the marginalized, abandoning the distinction between "us" and "others" so that all feel part of the one people of God (cf. Gen 11:1), thus taking up the theme of the most recent World Migrant and Refugee Day.
The text develops around seven main themes to promote a true culture of encounter, recognizing the presence of God in the other, especially in the migrant or refugee who comes from another cultural context, overcoming the fear of diversity, practicing listening and living "catholicity" as an evangelizing mission in view of communion.
The good practices attached to the text include a mention of Salesian Cardinal Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, Msgr. Cristobal Lopez Romero, who launched a synodal path based on the encounter and dialogue with Muslims; and a Salesian project implemented in Madrid and Seville and aimed at young refugees, to foster full integration into the community.
Salesian commitments were also acknowledged in the regional reports on the pastoral care of migration during the current pandemic, aimed at showing the good practices of local communities concerning the four verbs proposed by Pope Francis: "welcome", "promote", "protect" and "integrate". In particular, the experiences in the three Salesian centers in Egypt, the refugee camp in Palabek, Uganda, and the "Awalé" project in Cartagena, Spain, were presented.
To download the full text of the guidelines on intercultural migrant ministry, please click here.
