Pope’s focus on children for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2010

(November 27, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI has called on the Church to help alleviate the plight of migrant and refugee children worldwide as it marks World Day of Migrants and Refugees next year. “This year's theme – “Minor migrants and refugees” – touches an aspect that Christians view with great attention, remembering the warning of Christ who at the Last Judgement will consider as directed to himself everything that has been done or denied “to one of the least of these,” Pope Benedict wrote in his message for the 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugees that the Catholic Church will observe on Jan. 10. The Vatican released the Pope’s message at a press conference on Friday. “While the Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that the best interests of the minor shall always be safeguarded,” the Pope wrote, “recognizing his or her fundamental human rights as equal to the rights of adults, unfortunately this does not always happen in practice.” He noted that “although there is increasing public awareness of the need for immediate and incisive action to protect minors, nevertheless, many are left to themselves and, in various ways, face the risk of exploitation.” Pope Benedict touched upon several issues that affect the life and growth of the children of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and thanked particularly parishes and Catholic associations that “take pains to meet the needs of these brothers and sisters of ours.” He invited all Christians to become aware of the social and pastoral challenges posed by migrant and refugee minors. This year, the United Nations is marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.