Italian bishops warn against
culture of fear that closes the doors on migrants
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| Members of the Spanish NGO "Open Arms" rescue a woman in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast.- AFP |
The Italian Episcopal Conference released a statement on
Thursday warning against a culture of fear that, they say, fosters a climate of
mistrust and rejection towards migrants. They also appealed for the respect for
life and the will to protect, promote and integrate those fleeing their homes.
By Linda Bordoni
A statement released on Thursday by the Italian
Bishops’ Conference warns against a current climate of fear in the
country that has led to a political crackdown against immigration.
The statement, entitled “Migrants, from fear to welcome”
notes that we are becoming accustomed to images of an ongoing tragedy in which
so many die or witness death during their journeys of hope.
we have become accustomed to tragedy
“The barred eyes and the vitreous gaze of those who see
themselves grabbed, in extremis, from the abyss that has swallowed up other
human lives, the bishops say, are only the last image of a tragedy to which we
must not become accustomed to.”
“We feel responsible for this army of poor people, victims
of war and hunger, of deserts and torture” they say.
It is the tormented history of men, women and children, a
history that cries out against the closing of borders and the erection of
walls, and that demands we dare, the bishops say, offer solidarity,
justice and peace.
“As Pastors of the Church, they continue, we do not pretend
to offer cheap solutions. With regard to what is happening, however, we do not
intend to look the other way or to make contemptuous words and aggressive
attitudes our own. We cannot allow anxiety and fear to influence our choices,
determine our responses, foster a climate of mistrust and contempt, anger and
rejection”.
The new Italian government’s anti-immigration stance has
seen a number of rescue vessels carrying migrants adrift for days in the
Mediterranean after being denied entry to Italy, purportedly to discourage
traffickers.
Gospel's call to foster life
Pointing out that they are driven by the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, the bishops say they continue to lend their voice to those who lack it.
Inviting all Christian communities to be welcoming and show
authentic fraternity, they express gratitude “to those who - alongside and
together with us - with their availability provide signs of compassion,
farsightedness and courage, and are builders of an inclusive culture, capable
of protecting, promoting and integrating”.
We unequivocally feel, the Italian bishops conclude, that
the way to save humanity from vulgarity and decline is through the commitment
to protect life: every life, starting with the most vulnerable, the most
humiliated, the most trampled upon.”
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