Pope Francis on Tuesday
said the Catholic Church must combat hostility to migrants, even
within its own ranks.
"Often...migration gives rise to suspicion and hostility,
even in ecclesial communities, prior to any knowledge of the
migrants' lives or their stories of persecution and
destitution," the pope wrote in his message for the World Day of
Migrants and Refugees, which will be commemorated on January 18.
"In such cases, suspicion and prejudice conflict with the
biblical commandment of welcoming with respect and solidarity
the stranger in need...
"Jesus Christ is always waiting to be recognized in
migrants and refugees, in displaced persons and in exiles, and
through them he calls us to share our resources, and
occasionally to give up something of our acquired riches".
Francis also said that migration movements are on such a
scale that only "a systematic and active cooperation between
States and international organizations" can effectively manage
them.
"A more decisive and constructive action is required, one
which relies on a universal network of cooperation, based on
safeguarding the dignity and centrality of every human person,"
the Argentine pontiff added.
"This will lead to greater effectiveness in the fight
against the shameful and criminal trafficking of human beings,
the violation of fundamental rights, and all forms of violence,
oppression and enslavement".
Also on Tuesday, the director of the Italian Bishops'
Conference's Migrantes Foundation said nearly 4,000 migrants
have found shelter in convents and other religious institutions
following an appeal by Pope Francis.
"In recent weeks religious institutions have been
renovating their premises together with the dioceses, for
example Salerno, in order to tackle the arrival of hundreds of
thousands of migrants on southern Italian shores," said
Monsignor Giancarlo Perego during the presentation of Francis'
message for the World day for migrants and refugees on January
18, 2015, on the theme 'A Church with no frontiers, Mother of
all'.
Perego went on to recall how Italy has no "organic plan"
for offering hospitality to migrants, a fact that "penalises
minors in particular".
Francis has spoken up for migrants on several occasions
during his 18-month papacy.
Earlier this month he praised Italy's "admirable" Mare
Nostrum sea-rescue program that has saved thousands of desperate
migrants fleeing war and famine for safety in Europe.
The pope praised the work of the Italian government as well
as the Navy's sailors and officers involved in the program
established almost one year ago after two migrant boat disasters
that killed about 400 people.
Francis said the program, which is to be replaced in
November by a larger European initiative called Frontex Plus,
was "admirable work".
"Thank you for your admirable work on behalf of so many
brothers and sisters in search of hope. Thank you. Thank you so
much," said the pope.
Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) has been controversial, with some
political parties complaining that it has encouraged human
traffickers.
Francis showed his sympathy and concern for migrants soon
after he was elected pope, by travelling in March 2013 to visit
a migrant centre in Lampedusa, Italy's southern-most spot and
the closest European landing point to North Africa.
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