Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - This week in view of 'Migrant's Day' 2007, the archdiocese of Mexico City, through its Commission for Pastoral Care of Migrants, has been holding a series of activities and events. The first was an exhibition 'Migration, sign of the times' inaugurated at the railway station Medical Centre. Tuesday 11 September Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico, visited the Las Agujas Centre for Migrants at Iztapalapa, to comfort and encourage the inmates. The Cardinal celebrated Mass in the courtyard and listened to the tales of suffering and desperation of those present. The people at Las Agujas are illegal immigrants waiting for their situation to be legalised.
The Cardinal said people forced to leave their country in search of a better life and more opportunities deserve the understanding and love of all. The Cardinal said the Federal Government has achieved much with regard to respect for human rights and international agreements, but that much remains to be done. He told those present that the Mexican Bishops are working together with the Catholic Bishops of the United States to improve conditions for emigrants and to ensure they are treated not as goods for exchange but as individual persons with intrinsic dignity. "Emigrants are not tourists or holiday makers, they are persons who are desperate to provide a more worthy life for their families". Cardinal Rivera said the bad treatment given to emigrants is a tragedy of our times because it violates one of the most basic human rights: freedom of transit, and in this sense he appealed for charity and solidarity.
Thursday 13 September in various parish and churches in the city centre organised hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for emigrants. Friday 14 there will be a Way of the Cross for emigrants at the cathedral to reflect on the sacrifices and efforts of emigrants on their way to places where they dream of better living conditions.
Sunday 30 September the Cathedral dedicated to Jesus Lord of Mercy, in the city of Nezahualcoyotl, state of Mexico, emigrants are invited to take part with their traditions and customs at a fair of cooking and local crafts.
These initiatives aim to increase awareness that the mission of the Church and families in Mexico is to welcome immigrants with Christian hospitality and sharing with them the Good News of Christ, as a way of restoring trust and hope of these people who have left home and family. In Mexico the Church is actively involved in providing pastoral care for migrants in the country to alleviate their solitude and discouragement. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2007; righe 32, parole 465)
