Malta: Bishops from Europe’s Bishops’ Conferences to discuss Migrants issues
(Vatican Radio) The challenges and prospects for the pastoral care of migrants and
refugees, co-operation between the Bishops’ Conferences, the exchange of experiences
and the difficulties faced by national directors, migratory policies and the issue
of integration of immigrant workers will all be the focus of discussions at a two-day
meeting in La Valletta, Malta from 2-4 December.
The meeting is being promoted
by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), and will include bishops
and national directors from Europe’s Bishops’ Conferences with responsibility for
the pastoral care of migrants and refugees.
In a comunique, the “Migrants”
Section of CCEE’s Caritas in Veritate Commission, chaired by Cardinal Josip Bozanić,
Archbishop of Zagreb states the meeting will focus on “The pastoral care of migrants
and refugees: between integration and inclusion” and will begin with a visit to Hal
Safi, in the south of Malta, a ‘closed’ centre for asylum seekers. The following
is drawn from the official announcement:
“The meeting will take place in La
Valletta (Malta) at the invitation of the local Archbishop, Mgr Paul Cremona, and
will see the participation of numerous experts and protagonists in the pastoral crae
of migrants and refugees; including the leaders of the Pontifical Council for the
Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, its President, Cardinal Antonio Maria
Vegliò, and the Under-secretary of the Vatican dicastery, Mgr Gabriele Ferdinando
Bentoglio. During the meeting, there will also be interventions from the Honourable
Emmanuel Mallia, the Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security; the
Honourable Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil
Liberties; Ambassador José Angelo Oropeza Rojas, IOM Director of the Co-ordinating
Office for the Mediterranean and Chief of Mission for Italy and Malta; and the Holy
See’s local representative, Mgr Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio to Malta and Libya.
“The
phenomenon of migration has always been present on the European continent, but today
for a variety of reasons it assumes new dimensions and appears to be more complex
than ever”, said Mgr Duarte da Cunha, CCEE General Secretary. He added: “Refugees,
temporary migrants (seasonal workers), young people looking for work, need an answer
from society at the social, political and also pastoral levels to the new challenges.
Following a long tradition, CCEE desires to contribute through these meetings to the
pastoral issues arising in Europe in the sphere of pastoral care with and for migrants.
Conscious that religious life and belonging to a faith community is very important
in the life of each person and that this is felt particularly in those who are far
from their home, it is urgent that the value the Church’s pastoral care has for the
life of emigrants be recognised by everyone. We want to repeat that the pastoral care
of migrants is not an accessory, but rather it is a priority for the Church and has
an influence on the whole of social life. In fact, the Church’s contribution which
leads to social cohesion and the harmonious integration of the stranger is enormous
and must be greatly appreciated. The Church is committeed to re-inveting hospitality,
in the light of faith in Jesus Christ, the Church knows that it is possible to re-invent
the capacity to live in harmony and share “being at home””.
A news conference
will take place on Tuesday 3 December at 1230 at “Mount St. Joseph Retreat House”
in Malta. There will be interventions from: Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò, President
of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People; Cardinal
Josip Bozanic, Archbishop of Zagreb and President of the “Migrants” Section of CCEE’s
“Caritas in Veritate” Commission; Fr Alfred Vella, Director of the “Malta Emigrants”
Commission Mgr Duarte da Cunha, CCEE General Secretary
The programme for
the meeting is available at www.ccee.eu. The meeting is not open to the public. A
news release will be published at the end of the meeting