The issue of migration was the focus of the 11th press briefing of the Synod of Bishops. Cardinal Cherny said: The harmony and goodwill experienced during the journey highlighted the anxiety, vulnerability and marginalization of many immigrants.
(Vatican News Network) The 11th press briefing of the Synod of Bishops was held on October 19 in the Holy See Press Room. The focus of the briefing was the Church’s care for immigrants and refugees, as conference participants were to join Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square that evening to pray for immigrants and refugees.
participation and power
Paolo Ruffini, Minister of the Dicastery for Communication and Chairman of the Information Committee of the Synod of Bishops, first introduced the progress of the conference: On the afternoon of October 18th and the morning of October 19th, the 10th and 11th group meetings were held respectively to discuss “Conversion in the Holy Spirit”. Currently, 35 groups are reflecting on the themes of participation, responsibility and empowerment.
Minister Ruffini said that, as General Spokesperson Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich said, “Three expert groups composed of theologians and canonists have been established and they will present three reports. Share their reflections with the General Assembly”. Information Committee Secretary Ms. Sheila Pires pointed out that 340 people attended the meeting on the afternoon of October 18, and 344 people attended on the morning of the 19th. They congratulated those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in an atmosphere of comradeship, communion and fraternity.
The Church is with the most vulnerable people in the world
Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, mentioned at a press briefing the evening prayer for immigrants. The cardinal explained that this event shows “this journey” that the Church takes “side by side with the most vulnerable people in the world, especially those who have fled or been forced to travel abroad.” We call these immigrants and refugees.
Cardinal Cherny observed that “the harmony, goodwill and profound exchanges on this journey together” highlight “the anxiety, insecurity, vulnerability and marginalization of migrants and refugees” and the “society that excludes them” Outside, keep silent.”
The work of the church on the US-Mexico border
Bishop Daniel Ernest Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville in the United States, the chairman of the conference, shared the diocese’s experience in accepting immigrants at the briefing. This diocese, located on the border between the United States and Mexico, has seen a significant increase in immigration from Latin America in recent years. Bishop Flores said: “A lot has been done for this, including restaurant owners and medical staff, creating solutions for relief and assistance: we do not have a lot of material resources, but we know what poverty is and we are generous .” The priest stressed that those involved were not only Catholics, but also Muslims, Jews, believers from other religious faiths and other sects of Christianity.
The tragedy of Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Fr Khalid Alwan, secretary-general of the Eastern Catholic Patriarchate Council (CPCO) and former general president of the Maronite Missionary Society in Lebanon, also gave testimony and talked about the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He said: “The people who came here since 2011 have lived an inhumane life. Huge numbers of people are crowded into camps that have reached capacity because the international community has forced Lebanon to keep these people in the country and not let them Heading towards Europe.”
“More than 2 million people live in these places, and there have been many new births in recent years. Lebanon, with a population of only 5 million, has become the country with the highest proportion of refugees in the world.” Although humanitarian relief supplies can help alleviate the tragic situation, they cannot allow refugees to live in a more dignified place.
Furthermore, Fr Alwan believes that the Lebanese people are being punished “for their humanity”. These refugees have made the country’s economy worse, because Lebanon has paid huge costs for this, and intergovernmental international organizations have been unable to do anything. The consequence is that “Lebanese citizens are getting poorer, which arouses their anger, and many people demand that the Syrian people begin to Move to Europe”.
The church accepts everyone
Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako of the Archdiocese of Pretoria, South Africa also attended the briefing that day and answered questions about the LGBT+ community among immigrants. Archbishop Mpako said: “The Church’s position on how to deal with them is clear: the first step is to show mercy and not to discriminate against anyone and not to make anyone feel out of place in the ecclesial community. In this regard, Saint The Holy Father has set a beautiful example.”
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2023-10-20 09:57:08
