EUROPE/SPAIN - Bishops' Message For Migrants Day: “The parish is a privileged place for helping immigrants in their new homeland encounter the local Catholic Church

Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - “Young immigrant, the parish wants to meet you” is the theme chosen for Migrants Day 20 January. “The complex phenomenon of immigration today with many causes and consequences must be given special attention in order to prevent negative repercussion and encourage positive ones”, the Bishops' Commission for Migrants said in a message issued for the occasion. Official sources say that the number of immigrants in Spain rose last year by 20.2% from 3,730,610 in 2006 (8.5% of the total population) to 4.482.568 in 2007 (9.9% of the population).
The Bishops say the increase is due to a constant flow of immigrants to Spain by sea from Africa and some even from Asia and "a good number perish at sea”. They express concern for “numerous illegal immigrants, mainly young adults and minors forced to live in hiding and insecurity”. They say "because of their situation young immigrants are exposed to the danger of possible of destabilising factors ”.
In this situation the Bishops call on parishes and religious communities to play their part to help solve the problem “to the best of their ability”. “The parish, similar to a family - the Bishop say - is in a privileged position to be a place where immigrants in their new homeland can encounter the local Church”. They say “an active parish with a truly missionary spirit instead of waiting for the newcomers to come to the church, will go out to meet them, especially those most in need”.
The Bishops end the message expressing the wish that Migrants Day “may be a call realise our missionary identity and shoulder more responsibility in this new year, reaching all in need of our assistance”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/1/2008; righe 26, parole 342)