Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “While migration is as old as human history, it has never been so consistent and complex in its nature as it is today. It affects almost every country in the world and fits into the wider process of globalization. Women, men, children, young and old...millions decide to immigrate - sometimes to survive - not only to seek better living conditions for themselves and their families.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI mentioned in an audience on November 9, with the participants of the Sixth World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, which is taking place at the Vatican, November 9-12. The Pope recalled that as a result of the global economic crisis and the sharp rise of unemployment, "many are seen forced to abandon their land and their communities of origin, to work in conditions by no means consistent with human dignity with difficulty in integrating into host societies.”
The Pope then asked them to reflect "on the consequences of a society based primarily on mere material development," while "authentic development always implies solidarity,” which is why "appropriate responses should be made to the major social changes taking place, making it clear that there can be no effective development if we do not encourage dialogue among peoples, dialogue among cultures, and respect for legitimate differences.” In light of the teachings of Jesus, "the Church invites the faithful to open their hearts to migrants and their families, knowing that they are not just a 'problem', but constitute a 'resource' to be able to exploit opportunities for the path of humanity and its genuine development."
The Congress began with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, in the Vatican Basilica. So the approximately 300 participants from five continents then proceeded to the conference room, where the President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Archbishop Antonio M. Veglio, gave the opening speech in which he stressed that a genuine pastoral response to the migration phenomenon in the era of globalization must take into account the fact that the "principle of justice guarantees every human being the dignity of belonging to the human family. Their being received into this family, then, is the real name of justice."
Illustrating the theme of the Congress, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Secretary of the Congregation, gave some figures. "It is estimated - said the Archbishop - that after 2010 there will be an average of 2.3 million migrants a year from developing countries (Africa, Asia excluding Japan, Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania excluding Australia, and New Zealand) to those considered developed nations (North America, Australia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand), thus ensuring no reduction in the population. Since 1960, the number of migrants to more developed regions was constantly increasing, until reaching the maximum value of an average of 3.3 million people per year between 2005 to 2008 and then decreased - and forecasting - a 2.3 million per year until 2050. It is therefore considered that in the next 40 years there will be a large demand from developed countries, for workers from developing countries. "
Then, in regards to immigrants' integration, Archbishop Marchetto said that "is not a one way street, it is not only a path to be trod by the immigrants, but also by the society to which he arrives. Real integration, therefore, takes place where interaction between immigrants and the native population is not only confined to the economic-social sphere, but is realized in its fullness, including the cultural one. Both sides, however, must be willing to do it, because what drives integration is dialogue, which in turn presupposes a reciprocal relationship." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2009)
