MESSAGE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI 2013 WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES Migrations: Pilgrimage of Faith and Hope Faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who deeply desire a better life and often leave behind the “hopelessness” of an unpromising future. During their journey, many of them are sustained by the deep trust that God never abandons His children; this certainty makes the pain of their uprooting and separation more tolerable and even gives them the hope of eventually returning to their country of origin. Faith and hope are often among the possessions which emigrants carry with them, knowing that with them, they can face their present situation if it leads towards a goal that is great enough to justify the effort of the journey. The Church shows her maternal concern by witnessing the immense poverty and suffering entailed in migration, leading often to painful and tragic situations. The Church also works to highlight the positive aspects, the potential and the resources which migrations offer. Programmes have been established to help and sustain the full integration of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees into a new social and cultural context, without neglecting the religious dimension, fundamental for every person’s life. The Church and various agencies ought to avoid offering charitable services alone; they are also called to promote real integration in a society where all are active members and responsible for one another’s welfare. Migrants trust that they will encounter acceptance, solidarity and help, that they will meet people who sympathize with the distress and tragedy experienced by others, recognize the values and resources the latter have to offer, and are open to sharing humanly and materially with the needy and disadvantaged. It is important to realize that the reality of human solidarity also imposes a duty. Migrants and refugees can experience new, welcoming relationships which enable them to enrich their new countries with their professional skills, their social and cultural heritage and their witness of faith, which can bring new life to communities. The right of persons to migrate is among the fundamental human rights, allowing persons to settle wherever they consider best for the realization of their abilities, aspirations and plans. Many migrations are the result of economic instability, the lack of essential goods, natural disasters, wars and social unrest. Instead of a pilgrimage filled with trust, faith and hope, migration then becomes an ordeal undertaken for survival. Irregular migration, which involves human trafficking and exploitation, particularly of women and children, must be clearly condemned and prosecuted. Dear migrants, may this World Day help you renew your trust and hope in the Lord, and with Him, you will be able to overcome obstacles and difficulties, treasuring the experiences of openness and acceptance that many people offer you. I entrust each of you to the Blessed Virgin Mary, sign of sure hope and consolation, our “guiding star”, who with her maternal presence, is close to us at every moment of our life. To all I affectionately impart my Apostolic Blessing. Vatican, 12 Oct. 2012 BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 06:01:46 +0000
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