Pope's Sunday 'Angelus' on minor migrants, Christian unity, Haiti

(January 18, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday exhorted Christians to be sensitive to the plight of migrants and refugees as the spirit of the Gospel requires, recalling that the Infant Jesus himself was once a refugee. The Pope’s appeal on behalf of people living away from their homelands came before his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. Speaking on the day the Catholic marks the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Holy Father affirmed that the Church has always been at the side of migrants and refugees, recalling the likes of holy people such as St. Frances Cabrini and Blessed Bishop Giovanni Battista Scalabrini who dedicated themselves for migrants and refugees. Pope Benedict reminded all about his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees which this year focussed on young people. He noted that Jesus, who as a newborn lived through the dramatic experience of being a refugee because of Herod’s threats, taught his disciples to welcome children with great respect and love. The Pope invited all to take every care that minors who live in a foreign country are protected by legislation and above all watched over in the countless problems that they must face.
At Sunday''s ‘Angelus’, Pope Benedict also reminded the faithful of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that Christian Churches observe every year January 18-25. This yearly observance, the Pope said, "constitutes, for believers in Christ, a propitious time to revive the ecumenical spirit, to meet each other, to get to know each other, to pray and reflect together." He explained that the theme for this year’s observance is taken from Luke's Gospel: 'You are witnesses of these things.'" "Our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus will be much more credible and effective the more that we are united in his love, as true brothers," the Pontiff affirmed. He thus invited parishes, religious communities, ecclesial movements and associations to pray unceasingly, in a special way during Eucharistic Celebrations, for the complete unity of Christians.
After praying the ‘Angelus’ prayer at midday on Sunday, the Pope Benedict XVI said he is being continually informed about developments in Haiti in the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake. The 7-magnitude earthquake that hit the impoverished nation on Jan 12, has caused at least 50,000 deaths. "Our thoughts, in these days, turn to the dear people of Haiti, and we raise sorrowful prayer," the Holy Father said. He noted that Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who, thanks be to God, is unhurt, keeps him continually informed, and that is how he heard of the sad death of Archbishop Joseph Serge-Miot of Port-au-Prince, as well as of many priests, religious and seminarians. The Holy Father said he is following and encouraging the numerous charitable organizations, who are taking charge of the immense needs of the country. He said he is praying for the injured, the homeless, and for those who tragically lost their lives.