PAPAL TRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATIONS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2001 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon was Pope John Paul's Letter to Ambassador Brunson McKinley, director general of the International Organization for Migrations, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its founding. In his Letter, written in English and dated November 22, the Pope praised the IOM's service to migrants over the last half century.

"Although it was founded to deal with the problems of migration in one part of the world and only for a limited time," wrote the Holy Father, "The IOM gradually adapted its structures and activities to deal with the challenges of migration through the world in an enduring way." He pointed out that "the Holy See, as an Observer, has followed with great interest the IOM's broadening commitment through the last half century."

The Pope noted that "Today migration is taking place in all kinds of ways, and the intermingling of people from different cultures means that great efforts must be made to help immigrants to become positively integrated in this new milieu." In particular, he recalled "the Organization's invaluable contribution to the battle against trafficking in human beings by helping the victims of this reprehensible trade to be restored to their freedom and dignity."

"In these troubled times," John Paul II concluded, "the challenges before you are larger than ever, not least in seeking to supplement the legislation of individual nations with the introduction of international norms capable of preventing unilateral decisions which do particular harm to the weakest countries. The Church stands with you in spreading awareness of the fundamental truth that, beyond all differences, all men and women are brothers and sisters in the one human family."

JPII-LETTER;MIGRATIONS;...;IOM; MCKINLEY;VIS;20011130;Word: 290;