2016
Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
(Vatican
Radio) The Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees for 2016 was
released on Thursday at a briefing in the Holy See Press Office.
The
theme chosen by Pope Francis for 2016 is “Migrants and Refugees Challenge
Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy.”
“The
tragic stories of millions of men and women daily confront the international
community as a result of the outbreak of unacceptable humanitarian crises in
different parts of the world,” writes Pope Francis.
“Indifference
and silence lead to complicity whenever we stand by as people are dying of
suffocation, starvation, violence and shipwreck,” he continues. “Whether large
or small in scale, these are always tragedies, even when a single human life is
lost.”
The
Message also states:
“The
Church stands at the side of all who work to defend each person’s right to live
with dignity, first and foremost by exercising the right not to emigrate and to
contribute to the development of one’s country of origin. This process
should include, from the outset, the need to assist the countries which
migrants and refugees leave. This will demonstrate that solidarity,
cooperation, international interdependence and the equitable distribution of
the earth’s goods are essential for more decisive efforts, especially in areas
where migration movements begin, to eliminate those imbalances which lead
people, individually or collectively, to abandon their own natural and cultural
environment.”
The full Message is below
MESSAGE
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FOR
THE WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
January
17, 2016
“Migrants
and Refugees Challenge Us.
The
Response of the Gospel of Mercy”
Dear
Brothers and Sisters,
In the Bull of indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy I noted that “at
times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may
become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives”
(Misericordiae Vultus, 3). God’s love is meant to reach out to each and
every person. Those who welcome the Father’s embrace, for their part,
become so many other open arms and embraces, enabling every person to feel
loved like a child and “at home” as part of the one human family. God’s
fatherly care extends to everyone, like the care of a shepherd for his flock,
but it is particularly concerned for the needs of the sheep who are wounded,
weary or ill. Jesus told us that the Father stoops to help those overcome
by physical or moral poverty; the more serious their condition, the more
powerfully is his divine mercy revealed.
In our time, migration is growing worldwide. Refugees and people fleeing
from their homes challenge individuals and communities, and their traditional
ways of life; at times they upset the cultural and social horizons which they
encounter. Increasingly, the victims of violence and poverty, leaving
their homelands, are exploited by human traffickers during their journey
towards the dream of a better future. If they survive the abuses and
hardships of the journey, they then have to face latent suspicions and
fear. In the end, they frequently encounter a lack of clear and practical
policies regulating the acceptance of migrants and providing for short or long
term programmes of integration respectful of the rights and duties of
all. Today, more than in the past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our
consciences, prevents us from taking the suffering of others for granted, and
points out way of responding which, grounded in the theological virtues of
faith, hope and charity, find practical expression in works of spiritual and
corporal mercy.
In the light of these facts, I have chosen as the theme of the 2016 World Day
of Migrants and Refugees: Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The
Response of the Gospel of Mercy. Migration movements are now a structural
reality, and our primary issue must be to deal with the present emergency phase
by providing programmes which address the causes of migration and the changes
it entails, including its effect on the makeup of societies and peoples.
The tragic stories of millions of men and women daily confront the
international community as a result of the outbreak of unacceptable humanitarian
crises in different parts of the world. Indifference and silence lead to
complicity whenever we stand by as people are dying of suffocation, starvation,
violence and shipwreck. Whether large or small in scale, these are always
tragedies, even when a single human life is lost.
Migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from
poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s
resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all
want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?
At this moment in human history, marked by great movements of migration,
identity is not a secondary issue. Those who migrate are forced to change
some of their most distinctive characteristics and, whether they like or not,
even those who welcome them are also forced to change. How can we
experience these changes not as obstacles to genuine development, rather as
opportunities for genuine human, social and spiritual growth, a growth which
respects and promotes those values which make us ever more humane and help us
to live a balanced relationship with God, others and creation?
The presence of migrants and refugees seriously challenges the various
societies which accept them. Those societies are faced with new
situations which could create serious hardship unless they are suitably
motivated, managed and regulated. How can we ensure that integration will
become mutual enrichment, open up positive perspectives to communities, and
prevent the danger of discrimination, racism, extreme nationalism or
xenophobia?
Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in so
doing, we open our doors to God, and that in the faces of others we see the
face of Christ himself. Many institutions, associations, movements and
groups, diocesan, national and international organizations are experiencing the
wonder and joy of the feast of encounter, sharing and solidarity. They have
heard the voice of Jesus Christ: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Rev
3:20). Yet there continue to be debates about the conditions and limits
to be set for the reception of migrants, not only on the level of national
policies, but also in some parish communities whose traditional tranquillity
seems to be threatened.
Faced with these issues, how can the Church fail to be inspired by the example
and words of Jesus Christ? The answer of the Gospel is mercy.
In the first place, mercy is a gift of God the Father who is revealed in the
Son. God’s mercy gives rise to joyful gratitude for the hope which opens
up before us in the mystery of our redemption by Christ’s blood. Mercy
nourishes and strengthens solidarity towards others as a necessary response to
God’s gracious love, “which has been poured into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit” (Rom 5:5). Each of us is responsible for his or her neighbour: we
are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. Concern for
fostering good relationships with others and the ability to overcome prejudice
and fear are essential ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter, in
which we are not only prepared to give, but also to receive from others.
Hospitality, in fact, grows from both giving and receiving.
From this perspective, it is important to view migrants not only on the basis
of their status as regular or irregular, but above all as people whose dignity
is to be protected and who are capable of contributing to progress and the
general welfare. This is especially the case when they responsibly assume
their obligations towards those who receive them, gratefully respecting the
material and spiritual heritage of the host country, obeying its laws and
helping with its needs. Migrations cannot be reduced merely to their
political and legislative aspects, their economic implications and the concrete
coexistence of various cultures in one territory. All these complement
the defence and promotion of the human person, the culture of encounter, and
the unity of peoples, where the Gospel of mercy inspires and encourages ways of
renewing and transforming the whole of humanity.
The Church stands at the side of all who work to defend each person’s right to
live with dignity, first and foremost by exercising the right not to emigrate
and to contribute to the development of one’s country of origin. This
process should include, from the outset, the need to assist the countries which
migrants and refugees leave. This will demonstrate that solidarity,
cooperation, international interdependence and the equitable distribution of
the earth’s goods are essential for more decisive efforts, especially in areas
where migration movements begin, to eliminate those imbalances which lead
people, individually or collectively, to abandon their own natural and cultural
environment. In any case, it is necessary to avert, if possible at the
earliest stages, the flight of refugees and departures as a result of poverty,
violence and persecution.
Public opinion also needs to be correctly formed, not least to prevent
unwarranted fears and speculations detrimental to migrants.
No one can claim to be indifferent in the face of new forms of slavery imposed
by criminal organizations which buy and sell men, women and children as forced
labourers in construction, agriculture, fishing or in other markets. How
many minors are still forced to fight in militias as child soldiers! How
many people are victims of organ trafficking, forced begging and sexual
exploitation! Today’s refugees are fleeing from these aberrant crimes,
and they appeal to the Church and the human community to ensure that, in the
outstretched hand of those who receive them, they can see the face of the Lord,
“the Father of mercies and God of all consolation” (2 Cor 1:3).
Dear brothers and sisters, migrants and refugees! At the heart of the
Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the
encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming
God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of
life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you
meet on your journey! I entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Mother of
migrants and refugees, and to Saint Joseph, who experienced the bitterness of
emigration to Egypt. To their intercession I also commend those who
invest so much energy, time and resources to the pastoral and social care of
migrants. To all I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.
From
the Vatican, September 12, 2015,
Memorial
of the Holy Name of Mary
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