The guidelines "invite us to broaden the way that we experience being church," Francis wrote in the preface to the "Pastoral Orientations on Intercultural Migrant Ministry".

Developed by the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the guidelines offer a wide look at the situation migrants and refugees find themselves in.

They "urge us to see the tragedy of prolonged uprootedness, to welcome, protect, integrate and promote our brothers and sisters, and to create opportunities to work together toward communion," Francis wrote.

On 24 March the Vatican released the 35-page document in English, Spanish and Italian on its website migrants-refugees.va.

It also released a companion 20-page booklet providing "good practices undertaken by Catholic organisations and religious congregations" around the world, showing effective examples of putting the pastoral guidelines into practice.

"In times of greatest crisis, like the pandemic and the wars that we are currently experiencing, closed-minded and aggressive nationalism and radical individualism fracture or divide our unity, both in the world and within the church," Francis wrote.

"The highest price is paid by those who end up getting labeled as 'them' versus 'us': foreigners, migrants and the marginalised who inhabit the existential peripheries."

He added: Jesus says "every encounter with a refugee or migrant is an opportunity to encounter Him. His Holy Spirit makes us capable of embracing everyone, cultivating communion in diversity and harmonising differences without ever imposing a depersonalised uniformity."

Catholic communities are invited to experience Francis's idea of "an ever wider 'we,'" which refers both to the entire human family and to the church.

"Newcomers challenge us to rethink the parish: not modelled on a village where everybody knows each other and newcomers are seen as a new addition from outside, but toward a church on the move, always open to welcome others," the guidelines say.

"It is not a question of assimilation but rather an enrichment and a path toward transformation of all members of the community; for those arriving in a country should not feel like second-class citizens but rather as part of the community, a unique 'we' as full members of the Church."

The intercultural ministry guidelines anticipate challenges communities may be facing with concrete suggestions and guidance for action. They say these can be articulated by four verbs: welcome, protect, promote and integrate.

"It is not a case of implementing welfare programmes from the top down, but rather of undertaking a journey together" to build communities and nations that can preserve their respective cultural and religious identity, and "are open to differences and know how to promote them in the spirit of human fraternity," it said, quoting Pope Francis.

"Growing in freedom from all fear, particularly fears based on misguided perceptions," it said, "Catholic communities are called to build bridges with newcomers, promoting a real 'culture of encounter.'"

"We sincerely hope that this booklet helps its readers to truly become builders of bridges, drawn to deepen their awareness, through experience, of the richness that the presence of migrants and refugees bring into our communities."

Source

• Angelus News
• Image: CBOQ

Their needs are the focus of new guidelines Pope Francis and the Vatican have just released.

"In this time of pandemic, the virus does not seem to distinguish between those who are important and those who are invisible, those who are settled and those who are displaced. Everyone is vulnerable and each infection is a danger for everyone," Cardinal Michael Czerny said at a news conference this week.

Czerny is the undersecretary of the migrants and refugees section of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

"In the post COVID-19 world that is emerging, the contribution of internally displaced people — like everyone's contribution — will be very much needed," he added.

The Dicastery's migrants and refugees section was created and is led by Pope Francis.

It's purpose is to lead initiatives for the millions who are forced to leave their homes due to war, natural disasters and climate change.

The news conference was held to release a new publication called "Pastoral Orientations on Internally Displaced People."

Inspired by Francis' call to "welcome, protect, promote and integrate" all those who live "in the peripheries," the new work invites Catholic parishes, nongovernmental organizations and dioceses to champion internally displaced people.

Millions were displaced in Syria after the Islamic State group destroyed Syrian towns and cities.

Internally displaced children are at risk of exploitation or trafficking in Kurdistan.

In Myanmar, persecuted Rohingya Muslim communities are unable to access clean water during the current pandemic.

There are also internally displaced people are also right beneath our noses, Czerny noted. They are mong the homeless and destitute.

The new publication invites parishes to discover internally displaced people in their community and find ways to cater to spiritual and basic needs.

Often these people struggle to gain public and social recognition. In some countries their human rights are trampled. At present, they have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and many are forgotten in the frenzied efforts to limit contagions.

Another Dicastery member, Fr Fabio Baggio, says it is important to recognise the "invisibility and vulnerability" internally displaced people face in the pandemic.

In addition, Baggio says "we must not forget about other emergencies and those still to come." These could include numerous disasters, challenges and changes.

Part of the Church's efforts includes engaging in dialogue with other religious communities and working together for common goals and shared principles. This interreligious "trend" in the Church is essential, he says.

The newly-released publication is part of a series of efforts and commitments the Church has made during Francis's papacy.

These have included 20 pastoral action points for people working with immigrants and refugees.

The Dicastery has also published guidelines to combat human trafficking, which Francis calls "modern-day slavery."

Future publications will focus on climate change impacts and the growing number of internally displaced people.

Source

• Religion News Service
• Image: Religion News Service