Closing of borders not an answer to illegal immigration: Card. Veglio
January 12, 2013: The closing of borders is not an answer to illegal immigration,
because it encourages smuggling and trafficking of persons, said Cardinal Antonio
Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants
and Itinerant People. He was speaking in an interview on the eve of the World Day
of Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrated on Sunday, January 13. He invited all
concerned to look for solutions that take into account the 'various needs "and" rights
"of the people involved, especially the most vulnerable.
During the interview,
the cardinal also denounced the plight of refugees from Syria, whose sheer number
(over half a million) is intended to double in a few months. He reminded the media
of their responsibilities in guiding public opinion in front of the immigration, urging
to highlight their plight especially lack of food, constant fear and criminalization
of people. The situation in Syria is really distressing, he said, adding that "torn
apart by continual slaughter and the scene of inhuman suffering among the civilian
population".
The Pope's message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
2013 is dedicated to the theme "Migration: a pilgrimage of faith and hope." Because
it pertains to their faith and hope. Card. Veglio explained: It is more appropriate
to emphasize the word pilgrimage. The reason lies in the concept of pilgrimage, which
is basically the decision to undertake a journey towards a better goal. The man was
created by God as a being good, and this desire for pilgrimage to the goodness, is
the basis of his choices, and the decisions and directions that takes over his life.
Toward good results in itself, feelings of faith and hope, in the hope that on
this trip we can find that at which the heart yearns. This also applies to the scope
of the migration. Quoting the Pope, the Cardinal said "faith and hope are inseparable
in the heart."