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Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, presented the Instruction “Erga migrantes caritas Christi” that was published by this same Council, to the participants of the Africa Continental Meeting on the theme, “Towards a better Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees in Africa at the Dawn of the Third Millennium” (see Fides 3/6/2008). The Congress is being held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi and will conclude on June 5.
In his speech, Cardinal Martino highlighted the particular attention with which the Catholic Church has traditionally addressed the problems related to migrants: “Since the last century, the Holy See has systematically focused its attention on human mobility, recognizing the implications of changing social situations, and promoting pastoral initiatives aimed at the full integration of migrants and itinerant peoples.” It is an attention that was emphasized in the creation (by Paul VI) of the Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migration and Tourism, which Pope John Paul II converted into the current Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
The Instruction “Erga migrantes caritas Christi” is a reflection of the Church’s concern for more effective pastoral care for Migrants and Refugees in today’s world, 30 years after the publication of the Motu proprio by Pope Paul VI, "Pastoralis Migratorum Cura.”
Given the nature of migration today, Cardinal Martino said, there is a need for “an ecumenical vision of this phenomenon.” “Inter-religious dialogue also comes into play, due to the growing numbers of immigrants who belong to other religions.” Thus, three modes of dialogue are necessary: within the Catholic Church; among the faithful of diverse Christian beliefs; among members of different religious faiths.
From a pastoral viewpoint, Cardinal Martino insists on the need for “The integration of pastoral structures (whether already in place or to be established in the future) and the ecclesial ‘assimilation’ of migrants within ordinary pastoral care – with full respect of their legitimate diversity and their spiritual and cultural heritage, also with a view to forming an increasingly ‘catholic’ Church – is another important characteristic that the Document aims to emphasize and propose to the local Churches. This integration is an essential condition in order that pastoral care, for and with migrants, may become a meaningful expression of the Universal Church and the missio ad Gentes, (mission to peoples)...” As regards ecumenical aspects, Cardinal Martino says that, “like any authentic dialogue, this is also based on keeping to one’s own Catholic identity and not neglecting the need to take account of existing problems among Christians who unfortunately are still separate. Therefore, ‘facile irenicism,’ and at the other extreme, proselytism, in the negative sense of the word, should be avoided.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2008)
