Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) – Sunday, September 5 is the day Chile celebrates Migrant Sunday. The Day's events program includes a Mass at 12:30pm celebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago, Bishop Cristián Contreras, with the participation of representatives from various countries, dressed in their traditional costumes, typical of their cultures, who will play their indigenous music and songs. The great celebration planned for Migrant Sunday has been prepared by the Parish of Our Lady of Pompeii, in collaboration with the INCAMI (Catholic Institute of Chile for Migrants) and the Archdiocesan Department of Immigration. After the Mass, in a brief speech, the community of migrants will pay tribute to Chile for its Bicentennial. This will be followed by a reception in the parish, where participants will taste the dishes of different countries and attend a performance of traditional dances.
Migrant Sunday was established in 1914 by Pope Benedict XV. In Chile, the Church chose to celebrate it on the first Sunday of September in all the parishes in the country. A collection for the activities of the INCAMI is also taken up on this day.
For the celebration of Migrant Sunday 2010, INCAMI chose the slogan "Chile, a Place for Everyone," because, as pointed out by the President of INCAMI, Bishop Enrique Troncoso, "we have decided to join and participate in Continental Mission. We believe that Chile is a place for everyone, this also means that it is open to those coming in from the outside. Sitting together around the same table is a moment of communion.”
According to the latest official figures, an estimated 352,344 immigrants currently live in Chile, which has a total population of over 16 million inhabitants. The ten communities with the greatest number of residents in Chile are: Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Spain, United States, Brazil, Germany, and China. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/09/2010)
