The Spanish bishops ask, in a message on the occasion of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, that “we do not idealize them, but neither do we despise them. They are not better or worse than us: they are ‘us’.”
In the message titled God walks with his people in his welcoming and missionary communities, The prelates of the Episcopal Subcommission for Migration and Human Mobility of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), the prelates also call to preserve unity within the Church around this issue:
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
“Let us avoid reductionisms that, with the excuse of the legitimate diversity of political options or visions, crack the communion among Catholics and the communion with the most impoverished, those with whom Christ continues to identify,” they point out.
Furthermore, they remember on the other hand that in the heavenly homeland “there will no longer be separation based on nationalities, but only based on the question: have you loved without measure? ‘You did it to me.’”
The Church, founded as “itinerant, diverse and open to miscegenation”
These conclusions are offered after outlining a portrait of the history of salvation in the key of “the path” and with the awareness that “human mobility is one of the hallmarks of our time.”
Thus, they point out that “everything in the biblical tradition is movement from the beginning of creation to the end of history” and that “the same Church is founded on Jesus Christ and his apostles and disciples, itinerant, diverse and open to miscegenation” and also “missionary thanks to those who migrated or traveled, partly abandoning the security of the church of reference in Jerusalem.”
For the bishops, “catholicity, which is one of the notes of the Church, opens us to diversity, to the mixing that has become a reality in so many historical moments and places, to the encounter of cultures, diversity in harmony, unity and not uniformity. Our time makes it more and more evident.”
Pope Francis, aware of the immigration problem in Spain
The arrival of foreign people to Spain has been growing for decades, with the situation of illegal immigrants arriving in the Canary Islands being especially relevant thanks to the action of international mafias.
From the beginning of the year until September 15, the Ministry of the Interior has counted almost 38,000 illegal immigrants, which represents an increase of 49.1% compared to the same period in 2023.
Of them, almost 27,000 arrived in the Canary Islands in nearly 400 boats, which represents an increase of 85.1%. Just over 2 million people live in the archipelago.
The situation is so relevant that even Pope Francis has shown interest in going to this Spanish archipelago upon his return from the trip to Asia and Oceania, the longest of his pontificate: “I think a little about this, about going to the Canary Islands because it is there.” the situation with the migrants who arrive from the sea and I would like to be close to the rulers and the people of the Canary Islands,” he stated.
The Bishop of the Canary Islands, Mons. José Mazuelos has expressed, in statements to COPEthe radio station owned by the EEC, that the Pontiff’s intentions represent a recognition of the seriousness of the problem and the way in which the situation is being faced:
“A people that is fighting and facing this problem with great generosity. Also the government of the Canary Islands… those words of the Pope about ‘uniting with the people of the Canary Islands and their government’ have shown me their sensitivity and it has given me joy to see the Pope concerned and supporting us. There are many complicated situations here and thanks to the good work of so many people, we are getting through it.”
“We cannot look the other way, we must promote development in the countries of origin and the Vatican is clear about this. The bishops of the Atlantic routes are in connection and we meet. Furthermore, many things could be arranged in the countries of origin by providing training, visas and that they come with work without having to go through the madness of the Atlantic,” added the prelate.
Nicholas de Cardenas
Born in 1980, I am a Spanish husband and father and journalist with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media, specializing in sociopolitical and religious information. I have worked for more than 10 years in defense of human rights and have accreditations in Journalism and Comprehensive Communication. Since July 2022, I have been a correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN Noticias in Spain, covering international events of the Catholic Church.