What fuels migration? For Pope Francis, a strong ‘aspiration to hope’

Last updated on: November 21, 2014 at 8:14 pm by CNA Daily News

What fuels migration? For Pope Francis, a strong ‘aspiration to hope’ 2014-11-21T20:14:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2014 / 01:14 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said on Friday that the desire to migrate from one’s homeland is inspired by the search for hope, and encouraged the Church throughout the world to welcome migrants, whose presence helps build up society.

“Notwithstanding new developments and the emergence of situations which are at times painful and even tragic, migration is still an aspiration to hope,” the Pope told participants in the Seventh World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants on Nov. 21.

In his speech for the Nov. 17-21 congress, which focused on the dynamics of cooperation and development in the pastoral care of migrants, the Pope noted how many persons who live in troubled areas leave in search of a better life for their families at the risk of disappointment and failure.

This is caused in large part by the economic crisis currently effecting every country, he said, which includes factors such as “inequality, poverty, overpopulation, the growing need for employment in some sectors of the global job market, disasters caused by climate change, wars and persecution, and the desire of younger people to relocate as they seek new opportunities.”

Despite the challenges involved in migration, the phenomenon has the capacity to improve both the migrant’s native country as well as the one they traveled to from an economic standpoint, the Roman Pontiff noted.

“In effect, receiving nations draw advantages from employing immigrants for production needs and national prosperity, not infrequently filling gaps created by the demographic crisis,” he said.

At the same time, the nations which migrants leave “show a certain reduction in unemployment and, above all, benefit from earnings which are then sent back to meet the needs of families which remain in the country.”

Among the challenges that migrant families face are the effects on children who have grown up without one or both of their parents, the tension on marriages due to long absences of spouses, as well as the difficulty of integrating into a new society, the Pope observed.

He noted how pastoral work in these situations plays a key role in helping cultural dialogue and as well as with legal issues on the part of the migrant, and helps lessen the repercussions on families living without a spouse or parent in the country of origin.

Pope Francis explained that “sadly migrants often experience disappointment, distress, loneliness and marginalization” due to the fact that they are both uprooted from their home and need to integrate.

The Church, he said, is a community that seeks to engage and welcome migrants, and encouraged parishes to promote pastoral plans that both evangelize and support migrants throughout their journey from their country of origin to the receiving country.

“The Church also seeks to be a source of hope,” the Bishop of Rome explained, noting how she develops programs of education, defends migrants’ rights and “offers assistance, including material assistance to everyone, without exception, so that all may be treated as children of God.”

He spoke of the need to adopt an “integrated perspective” when encountering migrants, which is capable of seeing and valuing their potential, rather that viewing them “as a problem to be confronted and resolved.”

In order to fully develop each person must be assured of their ability to participate in the life of a community, Pope Francis observed, adding that this is even more important in a Christian community, where strangers do not exist.

“Beyond being a community of the faithful that sees the face of Jesus Christ in its neighbor, (the Church) is a Mother without limits and without frontiers,” he said, noting how she constantly strives to build a culture of solidarity “where no one is considered useless, out of place or disposable.”

While migrants are capable of expanding the bounds of fraternity, their presence is also a reminder of the ongoing need to fight inequality, injustice and various abuses, the Roman Pontiff continued.

He concluded his speech by praying for the protection of the Holy Family, “who themselves experienced the difficulty of exile in Egypt.”

Vatican

Previous Post

November 21, 2014

Pope Francis: Turning churches into 'businesses' is a scandal

Next Post

November 21, 2014 Catholics on immigration order: more reform needed

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Marah" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Healing Strength Blessed Bitter