VATICAN - "Migrations, sign of the times” is the title of a Message issued by Pope Benedict XVI for the 92nd World Day For Migrants and Refugees to be marked on 15 January 2006

Friday, 28 October 2005

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "Migrations, sign of the time” is the theme of Holy Father's Message for the 92nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees which will be celebrated on January 15, 2006, made public today. The text has been published in English, French, Italian and Spanish. Here are extracts from the message: "One of the recognisable signs of the times today is undoubtedly migration, a phenomenon which during the century just ended can be said to have taken on structural characteristics, becoming an important factor of the labour market world-wide, a consequence among other things of the enormous drive of globalisation.” The Pope mentions the various factors of this phenomenon (national and international migration, forced and voluntary migration, legal and illegal migration, subject also to the scourge of trafficking in human beings, the category of foreign students not to be forgotten.)
The Pope recalls that in the past mainly men emigrated, women went only to accompany respective husbands or fathers or to join them, however today “female emigration tends to become more and more autonomous. Women cross the border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country. Indeed it often happens that the migrant woman becomes the principal source of income for her family. It is a fact that the presence of women is especially prevalent in sectors that offer low salaries. ... The most common employment opportunities for women, other than domestic work, consist in helping the elderly, caring for the sick and work in the hotel sector. These, too, are areas where Christians are called to dedicate themselves to assuring just treatment for migrant women out of respect for their femininity in recognition of their equal rights."
The Pope goes on to refer to "trafficking in human beings, especially women. ... In some cases there are women and girls who are destined to be exploited almost like slaves in their work, and not infrequently in the sex industry too. ... This outlines a whole program of redemption and liberation from which Christians cannot withdraw." On the subject of asylum seekers and refugees, the Holy Father underlines the tendency disregard “the reasons for which they left their native land. ... “ and the Church is called to work with hope, courage, love and 'creativity in charity' “ to help these brothers and sisters in their suffering”. The Holy Father stresses the need to give particular attention to the phenomenon of foreign students. ... “Especially in Europe, their number is growing, with consequent pastoral problems the Church cannot ignore. This is especially true in the case of students coming from developing countries, whose university experience can become an extraordinary occasion for spiritual enrichment.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2005 - Righe 32, Parole 457)


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