Archbishop Marchetto Reflects on World Refugee Day

(20 June 08 - RV) Today is the United Nations World Day for Refugees.

To mark the day, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, who is the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, spoke to us about the increasing hardships refugees are facing. Kelsea Brennan – Wessels reports
 June 20th marks the United Nations World Day for Refugees.

This theme for this year is the urgent need for protection, especially for refugees who require legal, social and material security.

The issue of refugees is also a matter Pope Benedict touched on his recent pastoral visit to Puglia.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto is the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People.

He spoke about the grim realities facing refugees today including the modern pheonomenon of human trafficking which unfortunately is on the increase.


He also said that the latest figures, supplied by the Nations United are extremely worrying showing that in two years alone the number of people who sought protection from the UNHCR rose from 9.9 million to 11.4 million.


At the Council’s recent episcopal conference, the first on the continent of Africa, Archbishop Marchetto said they launched an appeal, which was an invitation to those especially in Europe to unite in solidarity, with refugees and for protection.
 The Archbishop added that those who face persecution have the right to protected.