Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sigüenza (Agenzia Fides) - The annual meeting of the national Directors of the Pastoral care for Migration was organised by the Migrations Commission of the Council of bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE). It took place in Sigüenza, Spain, from 21st to 24th September, 46 delegates representing 25 bishops’ Conferences of Europe and the Holy See, among whom six bishops and also representatives of international Catholic organisations (COMECE, ICMC, Caritas Europe) attended. The theme of the meeting was: "Migration and youth: an opportunity for society and the Church in Europe." Thanks to the help of several experts who developed some theological perspectives relative to the theme of the meeting, a fruitful exchange of information and experiences took place. These touched on a range of places from the north to the south and from the east to the west of Europe. The delegates highlighted the need to intensify and to improve the pastoral care for immigrants in general and with youth in particular. The latter represent the future of new European society and of a Church who is renewed and enriched by the contribution of the many young people that arrive in Europe or are born here whilst belonging to different cultures and rich religious traditions. It is they who effectively represent “an opportunity for the Church and society in Europe” The vital role that the United Nations Organisation (UNO), the Council of Europe and the European Union (EU) play in this process was underlined throughout the meeting. Painful events, such as the disturbances in the French suburbs or the London attacks, having children or grandchildren of immigrants as main actors, highlight that the process of reception and integration of immigrants into Europe has many shortcomings. The delegates at the Sigüenza meeting commit to communicate the results of their work to their bishops’ Conferences and to the Church, as well as the renewed sense of responsibility and awareness of the situations of young immigrants. This entails conditions such as parishes providing adequate services in the field of education and socialisation in order to help towards fraternal reception, to give them the place their deserve, to encourage them to participate to the political debate and to a harmonious integration, so as to make a common future possible, in a just and united Europe. Shocked by the tragic current situation of immigrants from Africa reaching the Canary Islands and the southern coasts of the Iberian peninsula, Italy and Malta, the delegates see this phenomenon as an unjust consequence of poverty and lack of development in the countries of origin of the immigrants. Driven by need, they launch into this adventure with the aim of reaching the “European” dream, and a desire to escape poverty and to improve their situation and that of their families. The delegates denounce this unjust situation and appeal to the sense of responsibility of the developed countries of Europe, to the UN, to the Council of Europe and to the EU so that they may put in place more generous policies of development aid to poor countries and a more efficient control over mafias and human traffickers. At the same time they express solidarity toward the Spanish bishops’ Conference, the dioceses of Tenerife, of the Canaries and all the other affected dioceses, as well as towards Caritas, religious Congregations, NGOs and all those who are committed personally and contribute to save these people, who are victims of poverty and of the abuse of traffickers, and are exposed to serious dangers. The delegates also express their solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI and heed his appeal for an inter-religious and self-critical dialogue. They also adopt his request to renounce to any form of violent act carried out in the name of religion. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/9/2006, righe 39, parole 493)
