EXTEND NETWORK OF AID AND ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2005 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office today, Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the same dicastery, presented the Holy Father's Message for the 92nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which is due to be celebrated on January 15, 2006, and which has the theme: "Migrations, sign of the times."

  Cardinal Hamao pointed out how, in his Message, the Holy Father refers to the phenomenon of migration with the expression "sign of the times," a term also employed by Vatican Council II.

  "Benedict XVI, in continuity with the council, invites us above all to consider migrations, in a positive sense, as an opportunity, almost as a challenge."

  The Pope's message makes it clear that "women and men in migration represent a precious resource for the development of all mankind, thanks to the human, spiritual and cultural potential that each one possesses;" though it does not, for this reason, "fail to recognize the human cost of migration and its multiple social, economic and political effects."

  The cardinal recalled the Pope's reference to the "feminization" of migration and "the tragedy of asylum seekers and refugees, as well as the well-known difficulties faced by foreign students, especially those coming from the Third World." On this subject, he announced that from December 14 - 16, 2005, an international congress will be held in Rome to consider the pastoral care of foreign students.

  The president of the pontifical council concluded by saying that the Message "is an invitation to charity, encouraging us to maintain and extend a network of activities offering true welcome and genuine and effective openness, in order to meet ... the many needs of migrants." He also called for greater "integration, inter-cultural exchange, the development of a mentality open to universal issues, and inter-religious dialogue."

  Archbishop Marchetto talked on the subject of refugees and displaced persons. Their situation, he said, raises questions "that give us great concern. We ask ourselves why human cruelty and intolerance reach the point of persecuting others ... (with) violence, intimidation, torture, murder and detention which, in different ways, degrade both those who perpetrate such acts and their victims."

  "If, then, we consider a broader definition of refugees, in keeping with certain regional conventions, we should also include in this category those fleeing wars, generalized violence or the mass violation of human rights. ... How can we as a community of believers respond to this painful challenge?"

  The secretary of the pontifical council recalled how "thousands and thousands of ecclesiastical organizations exist, bringing hope and love to the otherwise-desperate situations of refugees and displaced persons. This too is a sign of these times. Although this generous response can always be improved and extended."

  On the subject of trafficking in human beings, mentioned by the Pope in his Message, the archbishop pointed out "the continuing lack of appropriate migration programs" to ensure that people fleeing poverty, or who wish to emigrate, do not end up in the hands of smugglers and traffickers. "In the case of trafficking," he added, "there is huge exploitation, because the human rights of individuals are not respected."

  "Contemplating all this 'with Jesus' eyes,' the Church raises her voice in support of millions of marginalized people, and constantly highlights their desperate needs which are unknown to many people."
OP/MIGRANTS:REFUGEES/HAMAO:MARCHETTO            VIS 20051028 (580)