Migration and globalisation will be the theme of the Vatican’s sixth World Congress on migrants and refugees to be held in Rome next week.
“Globalisation has created a new labour market and, consequently, forced many to emigrate, also in order to flee from poverty, misery, natural catastrophes and local and international conflicts, as well as from political or religious persecution,” the Vatican’s top migration official Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, told journalists.
“This has opened markets to international intervention, but it has not torn down the walls of national boundaries to allow the free circulation of people, even with due respect for the sovereignty of states and their constitutional charters, safeguarding legality and security,” he added.
Veglio, who is president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants, urged host countries to welcome migrants of other nationalities, ethnicities and religions.
Churches are often working at the frontline of the phenomenon of migration-its causes and consequences, he said. Cooperation between churches in migrants’ home countries, transit and host countries is “fundamental” Veglio stated.
The Catholic church works closely with migrants, especially human trafficking victims, refugees and asylum seekers.
It also works towards local and international laws favouring immigrants’ genuine integration in host societies, Veglio stated.
Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone will open the Congress on November 9 with a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. During the opening session of the Congress, around 300 participants will be received by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Congress will cover population movements, both as cause and effect of globalisation, care of young migrants and refugees, and co-operation between churches, dialogue and collaboration.
The conference will also include a round table discussion on the theme of “the pastoral care of migrants and refugees in prison and in detention camps” on November 11.
(http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=3.0.3946223922)
