Migration situation requires a humane, Christian response, official says

414 0
Afghan refugee children walk along a road in Lahore, Pakistan, June 20, 2019, World Refugee Day. Children under the age of 18 make up one half of the world's refugee population, a U.N. report said. (CNS photo/Mohsin Raza, Reuters)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican recognizes how difficult it is for nations to manage the flow of migrants and refugees, but one thing is certain: “We must respond in a humane manner, a Christian manner, and we must try to help people, not harm them,” said the Vatican foreign minister.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, whose formal title is Vatican secretary for relations with states, spoke with Vatican News June 19, the eve of the U.N.’s World Refugee Day.

While the Vatican obviously respects the sovereignty of individual nations to determine how best to respond to the needs of migrants and refugees, the archbishop said, “the numbers are what they are, and we must face that and we must help.”

In connection with World Refugee Day, the U.N. Refugee Agency released its annual report on “forced displacement” around the world.

At the end of 2018, it said, there were 70.8 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, and 25.9 million of those people were officially recognized as refugees, which means they were found to have fled their homelands because of persecution, war or violence and they have a “well-founded fear of persecution” if they return home. At year’s end, another 3.5 million people were asylum seekers in the process of applying for protected status.

Children under the age of 18 make up one half of the world’s refugee population, the report said. And, in what the U.N. said was surely an “underestimate,” it counted 27,600 unaccompanied and separated children, who sought asylum on their own, and another 111,000 unaccompanied and separated children, who had refugee status.

More than two-thirds (67%) of all refugees were from five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia.

The five countries hosting the most refugees, the U.N. said, were: Turkey with 3.7 million refugees; Pakistan with 1.4 million; Uganda with 1.2 million; Sudan with 1.1 million and Germany with 1.1 million.

Archbishop Gallagher told Vatican News, “It’s obvious that conflicts in the world, difficulties with the environment and extreme poverty are elements that will not change from one day to the next, so we must continue — probably for many years — to act in solidarity and with fraternal love for these people.”

While the situation is dire for the migrants and refugees, the archbishop said that people in wealthier nations must acknowledge the contributions of newcomers, and not just in terms of cultural enrichment, but also in offsetting the declining birthrate in many European countries and the need in many nations for factory and farmworkers.

“So, it is necessary to have a balanced approach, but also try to humanize ourselves,” he said. “In fact, if one treats others badly, we are the ones who are diminished.”

Related Post

Sister Patricia Fox, superior of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion in the Philippines, speaks to the media after her April 17 release from the Bureau of Immigration headquarters in Manila. Philippine authorities arrested the 71-year-old Australian nun for allegedly engaging in illegal political activities. (CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters)

Philippines to deport Australian nun, 71, who advocated for farmers

Posted by - April 21, 2018 0
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Philippine authorities have arrested, detained and intend to deport a 71-year-old Australian nun for allegedly engaging…
Pope Francis uses a handkerchief during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome Feb. 26, 2020. Pope Francis has a common cold and has no symptoms that could be attributed to another illness, the Vatican said March 3.(CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

Pope Francis has a ‘common cold,’ Vatican says, amid Italy’s coronavirus outbreak

Posted by - March 8, 2020 0
Vatican City, Mar 3, 2020 / 04:10 am (CNA).- Pope Francis was reportedly tested for the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, with…
South Sudan Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior reacts as Pope Francis kneels to kiss her feet April 11, 2019, at the conclusion of a two-day retreat at the Vatican for the African nation's political leaders. The pope begged the leaders to give peace a chance. (CNS photo/Vatican Media via Reuters)

South Sudan’s Christian leaders say papal kiss is message of Easter

Posted by - April 28, 2019 0
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — Pope Francis’ surprise kiss on the feet of South Sudanese political leaders is the message of…
Pope Francis speaks in Spanish in a video message to Catholic leaders taking part in a safeguarding course at the Pontifical University of Mexico in Mexico City. The pope said prevention is key to preventing abuse. (CNS photo/Pontifical University of Mexico YouTube channel)

Pope: Church needs apostolate of prevention to protect minors from abuse

Posted by - July 26, 2019 0
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prevention is key in protecting minors from abuse, Pope Francis said. The protection of minors is…