Holy See becomes member state of International Organization for Migration

(December 05, 2011) The Holy See on Monday became a member state of the International Organization for Migration, IOM. The Holy See so far had an observer status at the 132-member intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Archbishop Silvano Tomasi the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations offices and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, spoke to Vatican Radio soon after the IOM plenary session endorsed the Holy See’s request for membership. The International Organization for Migration, which is marking its 60th anniversary this year, was established in 1951 for a humane and orderly migration for the benefit of migrants and society. Archbishop Tomasi said, “At this moment while we see in the world a continuous growth in migrants, refugees and people in movement for various reasons, it is important to be present and participate in the efforts of the international community, with a contribution that is very typical of the Holy See – namely, to be an ethical voice that gives an interpretation to these new situations.” Explaining the Holy See’s request for membership up from an observer status, the prelate said the social situations requires going beyond politics to an encounter with the human needs of people in movement