Migration and Refugees
“...I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:36)
Human beings have migrated throughout history. It is not a new phenomenon. In the recent past, the issue of migration was not considered controversial, particularly when numbers were small and governments were able to count on broad electoral support for their immigration policies. Today this has changed; migration has gone to the top of the public policy agenda as a major concern of world politics, including the 'securitisation' of migration issues.
For us as Christians, it is essential to recall that all human beings, regardless of the labels given to them, are entitled to full respect of their human dignity and rights; we are challenged by the Gospels to respond to all ‘dispossessed' people, extend hospitality and work for justice.
Go to the Office for Migration and Refugee Policy to find out more about the bishops' work on migration and refugee issues.
The 96th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2010
17 January 2010
The theme for the 2010 World Day of Migrants and Refugees is Minor migrants and refugees - protecting the rights of children who are migrants and refugees.
In his annual message, the Holy Father Pope Benedict invites all Christians to become aware of the "social and pastoral challenges":
"While the Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that the best interests of the minor shall always be safeguarded (cf. Art. 3, 1), recognizing his or her fundamental human rights as equal to the rights of adults, unfortunately this does not always happen in practice...
"I now turn in particular to parishes and to the many Catholic associations which, imbued with a spirit of faith and charity, take pains to meet the needs of these brothers and sisters of ours. While I express gratitude for all that is being done with great generosity, I would like to invite all Christians to become aware of the social and pastoral challenges posed by migrant and refugee minors.
"Jesus' words resound in our hearts: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35), as, likewise, the central commandment he left us: to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind, but together with love of neighbour (cf. Mt 22:37-39)."
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Pope Benedict XVI's message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2010 (pdf)
Bishop Lynch reflects on Pope Benedict's message
Echoing the need to focus on the plight of underage migrants and refugees Bishop Patrick Lynch, Chair of the Office of Migration and Refugee Policy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said that "care for migrant families especially women with children in detention was both a pastoral and policy challenge".
He said that raising the plight of families in detention especially women with children by disseminating information on their human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as providing pastoral support was one way of trying to ensure their protection.
Bishop Lynch said: "At the heart of Catholic Social Teaching is the principle that every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ and is therefore invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. This fundamental principle shapes our ministry with migrants – forced or unforced, documented or undocumented. A migrant’s legal status is quite separate from his or her human dignity. A human being's worth is defined and determined by their God-given dignity not by the papers they do or do not carry". Bishop Lynch said that every effort should be made to end child detention while their families await decisions on their claim for sanctuary in the UK.
Migrants Mass 2009
Homily
The Rt Rev Patrick Lynch, Bishop with Pastoral Responsibility for Migrants, gave a homily at the 2009 Migrants Mass at Westminster Cathedral:
"I would like to affirm the contribution migrant workers have made to Britain especially in recent years. You have contributed culturally and economically to the nation and you have contributed spiritually and socially to the Church bringing with you your deep faith, your commitment to the family and your loyalty to the Church.
"My first prayer is that during a time of recession when there will inevitably be job shortages we as the Church will do all we can not to allow migrant workers from within or outside the European Union to become scapegoats and targets of peoples frustration with the economy."
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Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales (2008)
The Bishops' pastoral statement on the Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales was published in April 2008.
"Over the last few years, there has been a transformation of the social character of the dioceses in England and Wales. Across the country in all our dioceses, we have migrants from nearly every continent in the world, adding people and vibrancy to our parishes. We, the Bishops of England and Wales, have been considering this new social reality with a view to issuing a statement calling for a more visible culture of welcome, hospitality and solidarity with our migrant sisters and brothers in God’s family. We recognise and celebrate their rich cultural and spiritual patrimony and the ways in which they are enriching us as they join us in our parishes and dioceses. This statement, ‘Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales’ is the result."
Bishop Patrick Lynch
Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark
Bishop with Pastoral Responsibility for Migrants
Click here to read Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales.
The 95th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2009
The theme for this year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees is St Paul migrant, ‘Apostle of the peoples’.
Pope Benedict XVI describes the coincidence of the theme coinciding with the Year of St Paul:
"It is inspired by its felicitous coincidence with the Jubilee Year I established in the Apostle's honour on the occasion of the 2,000th anniversary of his birth. Indeed, the preaching and mediation between the different cultures and the Gospel which Paul, “a migrant by vocation” carried out, are also an important reference point for those who find themselves involved in the migratory movement today."
Pope Benedict XVI
Papal message for the 95th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2009 (pdf)
Bishop Patrick celebrates Mass on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Bishop Patrick Lynch celebrated Mass for the Filipino community at Holy Redeemer Church in Brixton run by the Scalabrini Fathers who have a special charism for working with migrants.
"God calls each and every one of us to be the best person and the best Christian we can be. Each of us is called to be the best father or mother, brother or sister, carer or nurse that we can be. God doesn’t call us through extraordinary ways – through miracles or visions. He doesn’t send emails or make telephone calls. God calls us through the ordinary events and people of our daily life."
Bishop Patrick Lynch
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Bishop Patrick Lynch's homily for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2009 (pdf)