World Day of Migrants
and Refugees: ‘It is not just about migrants'
 |
| An initiative in the southern Italian town of Caserta where migrants are involved in a formation course for pizzamakers (ANSA) |
The Migrants and Refugee Section of the Department
for Promoting Integral Human Development on Sunday released the theme of the
105th edition of the observance.
By Linda Bordoni
“It is not just about migrants".
That’s the theme for this year’s World Day
of Migrants and Refugees, to be celebrated on Sunday, 29 September
2019.
The theme was announced on Sunday by the Migrants
and Refugees Section of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting
Integral Human Development.
As Fr. Michael Czerny SJ,
Under-Secretary of the Section, which is headed by Pope Francis himself,
explained, with this theme, Pope Francis
wants to highlight that his frequent
appeals for migrants, refugees, displaced and trafficked people should be
understood as integral to his
deep concern for all the inhabitants
of today’s existential peripheries.
Fr Czerny explained that observing the Day and the
Pope’s message aim to help us realize how deeply we are all involved, “as
Christian communities and societies, and that we are all called to respond and
to reflect how our faith life and commitments are engaged in responding to
vulnerable people on the move”.
Seeing the face of Jesus in migrants and
vulnerable people
Fr Czerny said that when the Pope reminds us,
repeatedly, of what Jesus himself was saying with the words ‘when I was a
stranger you welcomed me’, this is a very direct application of Our Lord’s
words”, and that indeed, “when people are knocking at our door because they are
seeking protection, shelter and a better future, we are welcoming Him: It’s
very simple and very radical”.
Communication campaign
Fr Czerny also said that in order
to foster a fuller and richer
celebration of the day, the Migrants and
Refugees Section of the Department for
Promoting Integral Human Development will be launching
a communication campaign, during which it will be working
with Bishops’ Conferences, Migration Commissions, Catholic organizations
involved with migrants and refugees in preparing for the World Day of Migrants
and Refugees on 29 September.
“So, he concluded, we invite everyone to join us
on social media, in reflection on biblical passages and on the teachings of the
Holy Father’s and on other resources that will help us to celebrate this day
with joy and with understanding”.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét