Dear Friends,
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees, instituted in 1914 by Pope Pius X, is celebrated annually on the last Sunday in September. This year, we seek to meet the challenge of Pope Francis’ Message for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022 around the theme: ’Building the future with migrants and refugees’. Each year on this day, the Church reminds us of our obligations in justice and love to look out for those who flee oppressive regimes.
Migrants and refugees can be an emotive issue, socially and politically divisive as well, yet as Church we need to persevere in seeking a compassionate consensus and accountability from our elected representatives. Governments bear responsibility for maintaining our borders and ensuring national security but sometimes they adopt a very hard line which is less than humane towards those being trafficked or fleeing. Some soften their stance when there is a shortage of skilled workers in our economy.
In his 1,200-word message this year, Pope Francis describes the presence of migrants and refugees as both ‘a great challenge’ and ‘an immense opportunity.’ While our interest is not primarily on Catholic migrants and refugees, the reality is that they can and do energize the ecclesial life of the communities that welcome them. The Pope observes that, ‘Sharing different expressions of faith and devotions offers us a privileged opportunity for experiencing more fully the catholicity of the People of God.’
Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, endorsed the Pope’s message that, ‘Migrants and refugees, too often on the peripheries of life, are never to be seen as “invaders or destroyers”. They are always “a source of enrichment”.’ He pointed out how, ‘In Australia, a country built on migrants and refugees, we can still overlook the newer Australians to our midst.’ I recall the willingness of the Australian community to accept Syrian refugees 8 years or so ago and I sense that few would object to our reaching out to refugees from the Ukraine at the moment.
While our responses need to be carefully discerned, Jesus is very clear in the Gospel: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me’ (Mt 25:34-36). Pope Francis has shared a prayer:
Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light may shine,
and where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice, so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish, and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom, together with migrants and refugees
and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
Fr Dave