Francis calls for the protection of unaccompanied children who migrate to the US

The Pope has sent a message to the “Mexico/Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development” calling for a “culture of encounter” and condemning racism and xenophobic attitudes

(©LaPresse) Child migrants on their way to the US

Domenico Agasso jr
Turin
 Vietnamese 

 “A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees” in various parts of the world “is needed," as well as a move towards “attitudes based on a culture of encounter.” The “large influx of migrants present in all continents and in almost all countries” should not be seen as an “emergency, or as a circumstantial and sporadic fact, while instead it has now become a hallmark of our society and a challenge.” The Pope said this, condemning xenophobic and racist attitudes and calling for the rights of immigrants to be respected. The Pope defended migrants and refugees on the occasion of the “Mexico/Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development” which began on 12 July and will conclude tomorrow in Mexico City. The Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is attending the seminar.

The Pope stressed that the migration phenomenon “carries with it great promise and many challenges.” After condemning racist and xenophobic attitudes, Francis drew on his 2013 World Day of Migrants and Refugees message, calling for a “change of attitude … on the part of everyone,” “moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture – towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.”

 

The Pope denounced the fact that many of those who are forced to migrate “suffer, and often, die tragically.” “Many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes.”

 

The seminar currently being held in Mexico coincides with a humanitarian crisis that sees thousands of unaccompanied children emigrating to the US. All Central American countries are affected by this forced exodus and the Catholic Church is on the front line given that practically all hostels for migrants in Mexico are run by Catholics.

 

Pope Francis therefore condemned the suffering and risks faced by tens of thousands of children when they attempt to cross the border between Mexico and Central America and the US, calling it a “humanitarian emergency”. He noted that the numbers of children undertaking this hazardous journey “are increasing day by day”. “This humanitarian emergency requires, as a first urgent measure, these children be welcomed and protected,” Francis added.

After calling for these children to be welcomed as well as for policies to inform the public of the dangers of the trip and to encourage development in their countries of origin, the Latin American Pope said “this challenge demands the attention of the entire international community so that new forms of legal and secure migration may be adopted.”