Rights of migrants must be respected says Pope

(April 28,2010) Pope Benedict XVI urged that migrants be given the firm hope to see their rights recognized and be allowed to live dignified lives in the countries where they seek refuge. The Pope’s message was sent
for the 8^th European Congress on Migration that began on Tuesday in Malaga, Spain. The Congress was promoted by the Council of the European Episcopal Conferences, CCEE. The Pope’s message signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was addressed to Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglia, President of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
The Papal message encouraged all the organisers and participants of the Congress, to continue their efforts to ensure that appropriate pastoral attention is given all those who suffer the consequences of having abandoned their countries to seek refuge elsewhere. The Papal message also exhorted them to coordinate initiatives and programs to enlighten them on the Good News of the Gospel . The theme of the Congress that concludes May 1^st is “Overcoming Fears, outlining Prospectives.”