Vatican City, 1 October 2015 (VIS) –
“Migrants and refugees challenge us: the response of the Gospel of
mercy” is the title of the Holy Father's message for World Day of
Migrants and Refugees, to be held on 17 January 2016. The document,
the full text of which is given below, was signed in the Vatican on
12 September, memorial of the Holy Name of Mary.
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, in the
Bull of indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy I noted that
'at times we are called to gaze even more attentively on mercy so
that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in
our lives'. God’s love is meant to reach out to each and every
person. Those who welcome the Father’s embrace, for their part,
become so many other open arms and embraces, enabling every person to
feel loved like a child and 'at home' as part of the one human
family. God’s fatherly care extends to everyone, like the care of a
shepherd for his flock, but it is particularly concerned for the
needs of the sheep who are wounded, weary or ill. Jesus told us that
the Father stoops to help those overcome by physical or moral
poverty; the more serious their condition, the more powerfully is His
divine mercy revealed.
In our time, migration is growing
worldwide. Refugees and people fleeing from their homes challenge
individuals and communities, and their traditional ways of life; at
times they upset the cultural and social horizons which they
encounter. Increasingly, the victims of violence and poverty, leaving
their homelands, are exploited by human traffickers during their
journey towards the dream of a better future. If they survive the
abuses and hardships of the journey, they then have to face latent
suspicions and fear. In the end, they frequently encounter a lack of
clear and practical policies regulating the acceptance of migrants
and providing for short or long term programmes of integration
respectful of the rights and duties of all. Today, more than in the
past, the Gospel of mercy troubles our consciences, prevents us from
taking the suffering of others for granted, and points out way of
responding which, grounded in the theological virtues of faith, hope
and charity, find practical expression in works of spiritual and
corporal mercy.
In the light of these facts, I have
chosen as the theme of the 2016 World Day of Migrants and Refugees,
'Migrants and refugees challenge us: the response of the Gospel of
mercy'. Migration movements are now a structural reality, and our
primary issue must be to deal with the present emergency phase by
providing programmes which address the causes of migration and the
changes it entails, including its effect on the make-up of societies
and peoples. The tragic stories of millions of men and women daily
confront the international community as a result of the outbreak of
unacceptable humanitarian crises in different parts of the world.
Indifference and silence lead to complicity whenever we stand by as
people are dying of suffocation, starvation, violence and shipwreck.
Whether large or small in scale, these are always tragedies, even
when a single human life is lost.
Migrants are our brothers and sisters
in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger,
exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources
which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all want a
better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?
At this moment in human history, marked
by great movements of migration, identity is not a secondary issue.
Those who migrate are forced to change some of their most distinctive
characteristics and, whether they like or not, even those who welcome
them are also forced to change. How can we experience these changes
not as obstacles to genuine development, rather as opportunities for
genuine human, social and spiritual growth, a growth which respects
and promotes those values which make us ever more humane and help us
to live a balanced relationship with God, others and creation?
The presence of migrants and refugees
seriously challenges the various societies which accept them. Those
societies are faced with new situations which could create serious
hardship unless they are suitably motivated, managed and regulated.
How can we ensure that integration will become mutual enrichment,
open up positive perspectives to communities, and prevent the danger
of discrimination, racism, extreme nationalism or xenophobia?
Biblical revelation urges us to welcome
the stranger; it tells us that in so doing, we open our doors to God,
and that in the faces of others we see the face of Christ Himself.
Many institutions, associations, movements and groups, diocesan,
national and international organisations are experiencing the wonder
and joy of the feast of encounter, sharing and solidarity. They have
heard the voice of Jesus Christ: 'Behold, I stand at the door and
knock'. Yet there continue to be debates about the conditions and
limits to be set for the reception of migrants, not only on the level
of national policies, but also in some parish communities whose
traditional tranquillity seems to be threatened.
Faced with these issues, how can the
Church fail to be inspired by the example and words of Jesus Christ?
The answer of the Gospel is mercy.
In the first place, mercy is a gift of
God the Father who is revealed in the Son. God’s mercy gives rise
to joyful gratitude for the hope which opens up before us in the
mystery of our redemption by Christ’s blood. Mercy nourishes and
strengthens solidarity towards others as a necessary response to
God’s gracious love, 'which has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit'. Each of us is responsible for his or her neighbour:
we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live.
Concern for fostering good relationships with others and the ability
to overcome prejudice and fear are essential ingredients for
promoting the culture of encounter, in which we are not only prepared
to give, but also to receive from others. Hospitality, in fact, grows
from both giving and receiving.
From this perspective, it is important
to view migrants not only on the basis of their status as regular or
irregular, but above all as people whose dignity is to be protected
and who are capable of contributing to progress and the general
welfare. This is especially the case when they responsibly assume
their obligations towards those who receive them, gratefully
respecting the material and spiritual heritage of the host country,
obeying its laws and helping with its needs. Migrations cannot be
reduced merely to their political and legislative aspects, their
economic implications and the concrete coexistence of various
cultures in one territory. All these complement the defence and
promotion of the human person, the culture of encounter, and the
unity of peoples, where the Gospel of mercy inspires and encourages
ways of renewing and transforming the whole of humanity.
The Church stands at the side of all
who work to defend each person’s right to live with dignity, first
and foremost by exercising the right not to emigrate and to
contribute to the development of one’s country of origin. This
process should include, from the outset, the need to assist the
countries which migrants and refugees leave. This will demonstrate
that solidarity, cooperation, international interdependence and the
equitable distribution of the earth’s goods are essential for more
decisive efforts, especially in areas where migration movements
begin, to eliminate those imbalances which lead people, individually
or collectively, to abandon their own natural and cultural
environment. In any case, it is necessary to avert, if possible at
the earliest stages, the flight of refugees and departures as a
result of poverty, violence and persecution.
Public opinion also needs to be
correctly formed, not least to prevent unwarranted fears and
speculations detrimental to migrants.
No one can claim to be indifferent in
the face of new forms of slavery imposed by criminal organisations
which buy and sell men, women and children as forced labourers in
construction, agriculture, fishing or in other markets. How many
minors are still forced to fight in militias as child soldiers! How
many people are victims of organ trafficking, forced begging and
sexual exploitation! Today’s refugees are fleeing from these
aberrant crimes, and they appeal to the Church and the human
community to ensure that, in the outstretched hand of those who
receive them, they can see the face of the Lord, 'the Father of
mercies and God of all consolation'.
Dear brothers and sisters, migrants and
refugees! At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and
acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and
acceptance of God Himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in
person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life
born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people
you meet on your journey! I entrust you to the Virgin Mary, Mother of
migrants and refugees, and to St. Joseph, who experienced the
bitterness of emigration to Egypt. To their intercession I also
commend those who invest so much energy, time and resources to the
pastoral and social care of migrants. To all I cordially impart my
Apostolic Blessing”.
