VATICAN: Pope Francis Says Migrants and Refugees Be Informed on Their World Day Commemoration
Pope Francis gives the homily as he celebrates a marking the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 12, 2019. In attendance were U.S. bishops from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-GUADALUPE Dec. 12, 2019.
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
In preparation for the annual celebration of World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) that will take place on Sunday, September 27, Pope Francis has released the fifth video urging that those being helped should be involved to participate.
“If we really want to promote the people to whom we offer assistance, we must involve them and let them be active participants in their own liberation,” the Holy Father said in his video reflection under the sub-theme “to involve in order to promote,” adding that, “Sometimes in our enthusiasm to serve others, we fail to see the riches they possess.”
He emphasized in his statement for the 106th WDMR released in May for this year that Covid-19 has schooled people on the essence of combining effort saying, “The pandemic has reminded us of how essential co-responsibility is and that only with the contribution of every one even of those groups so often underestimated, can we face this crisis.”
“We must find “the courage to create space where everyone can recognize that they are called, and to allow new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity,” reads in part the Pontiff’s May statement.
According to the Holy Father, this year’s WDMR themed “Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee,” is dedicated to “the pastoral care of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
Pope Francis noted, “The value of each person’s safety rooted in a profound respect for the inalienable rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees should be correctly balanced with national security concerns.”
This he explained, “Can be achieved through appropriate training for border agents; ensuring that migrants, asylum seekers and refugees have access to basic services, including legal services; ensuring protection for anyone fleeing war and violence; and by seeking alternative solutions to detention for those who enter a country without authorization.”
The Holy Father has been releasing monthly video reflections in preparation for the WDMR under different sub-themes.
The first reflection was released on May 15, 2020 where he reflected on the sub-theme “To know in order to understand”.
The second reflection was released on June 18 under the sub-theme “To be close in order to serve” where he reminds the people of God “not to let fear and prejudices lead us to keep distant from others.”
The third reflection came out on July 20 on the sub-theme “listening in order to reconcile,” while in the fourth sub-theme “to share in order to grow” the Pope noted that “We must learn to share in order to grow together without leaving anyone out” and that “sharing what we have with the people who truly need it would really help humankind.”
