Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church in Guatemala is strongly committed to the migration situation, says a document released by the Bishops’ Conference describing the dramatic situation in the country and the Church’s commitment.
According to the document, Guatemala has high levels of poverty that together with the current global crises, make migration (especially to the United States) a solution. The families that migrate “constitute one of the main sources of economic income in Guatemala, nearly 12% of the gross national product (GNP).” Those who suffer most in this situation are the indigenous peoples, those of African descent, and farmers.
This migration, according to the Bishops, leads to other more important problems, such as the presence of traffickers or “coyotes,” especially on the border between Mexico and the United States, where “there are the most coyotes and trafficking of persons” because it is one of the places where it is easiest to enter. There are also international trafficking networks that “constitute an organized structure involving State institutions and private businesses,” to whom immigrants are forced to pay large sums of money in order to make their journey.
Faced with this situation, the Bishops mention that human rights for immigrants still do not enter into the State’s responsibility” as “there are great defects in the protection laws that exist. The countries still do not accept the right to immigrate and remain where one finds more decent working conditions.” Moreover, immigration brings other problems with it: separation of families in the place of origin and destination, work exploitation, the loss of social and civil rights, discrimination, racism, solitude, loss of cultural, religious, and moral values, abandonment, insecurity, rejection, etc.
Thus, they mention the “commitment to accompanying the immigrants” as “one of the most important tasks of the Church in Guatemala,” in the document. With that said, the Bishops consider the need for a greater tie between the Church of origin, in time of transition, and upon arrival at their destination, forming mechanisms of communion; international and national networks, gathering strength and resources, overcoming the structural causes of immigration, offering spiritual assistance, guidance in matters of human rights, and assistance in the process of personal and work documentation.
“The work in favor of the immigrants is not an option but a priority. We do it because the immigrants are the poorest among the poor,” the Bishops said. The Church mentions that “more than ever it must overcome the relations of dependence and dominion.” She also must “maintain a critical perspective towards any ideology that is not rooted in the intrinsic value of the human person.”
Faced with this situation, the Migration Pastoral Ministry Office of the Bishops’ Conference mentions several possible forms of commitment with immigrants: that they always be recognized as persons with rights; spread awareness among the authorities; protect immigrants and their rights through the institutional alliances with the Church, civil society, and the State; help immigrants with their legal papers; offer support for immigrants in the migration houses and centers for humanitarian assistance; fight for an end to persecutions and massive deportations. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 31/7/2008)
