VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 131
DATE 15-07-2014

Summary:
- THE POPE CALLS FOR URGENT INTERVENTION IN THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF
MIGRANT CHILDREN
- CARDINAL PAROLIN IN MEXICO: MIGRATION AND RESPECT FOR THE PERSON
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 THE POPE CALLS FOR URGENT INTERVENTION IN THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF
MIGRANT CHILDREN
 Vatican City, 15 July 2014 (VIS) - Yesterday Pope Francis sent a message
to the organisers, speakers and participants in the "Mexico/Holy See
Colloquium on Migration and Development", which was read during the
inaugural session of the event by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin. In the text, the Pontiff urges the international community to
promote the adoption of new forms of legal and safe migration and called
for protection and a suitable reception for the many children who migrate
cross the border with the United States unaccompanied. He also highlights
the need for policies to inform potential migrants of the dangers of such a
journey and above all, for initiatives to promote development in their
countries of origin.
 "Globalisation is a phenomenon that challenges us, especially in one
of its principal manifestations which is emigration. It is one of the
'signs' of this time that we live in and that brings us back to the words
of Jesus, 'Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?'. Despite
the large influx of migrants present in all continents and in almost all
countries, migration is still 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.
 "It is a phenomenon that carries with it great promise and many
challenges. Many people forced to emigrate 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.
 "Faced with this situation, I repeat what I have affirmed in this
year's Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: 'A change of
attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone,
moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and
marginalisation - 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'.
 "I would also like to draw attention to the tens of thousands of
children who migrate alone, unaccompanied, to escape poverty and violence:
This is a category of migrants from Central America and Mexico itself who
cross the border with the United States under extreme conditions and in
pursuit of a hope that in most cases turns out to be vain. They are
increasing day by day. This humanitarian emergency requires, as a first
urgent measure, these children be welcomed and protected. These measures,
however, will not be sufficient, unless they are accompanied by policies
that inform people about the dangers of such a journey and, above all, that
promote development in their countries of origin. Finally, this challenge
demands the attention of the entire international community so that new
forms of legal and secure migration may be adopted.
 "I wish every success to the laudable initiative of the Mexican
government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in arranging a colloquium of study
and reflection on the great challenge of migration and cordially impart my
Apostolic Blessing to all those present".

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 CARDINAL PAROLIN IN MEXICO: MIGRATION AND RESPECT FOR THE PERSON
 Vatican City, 15 July 2014 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin spoke at yesterday's meeting between Mexico and the Holy See
dedicated to "international migration and development", attended
also by the foreign ministers of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, on
the theme of the responsibility of the parties involved in the phases of
departure, transit and arrival of migrants. The following are extensive
extracts from his address, given in Spanish.
 "The great contribution of Christianity to humanity, then, with the
maturing of the times, will be recognised for the enlightenment that
universal fraternity is a political category. Reason enlightened by faith
joyfully shows that the human family are all children of the same Father.
... In a radical way, Christianity has stated from the very beginning that
we are all free, we are all equal, we are all brothers. As a result, the
dignity of the person derives not from their economic situation, political
affiliation, level of education, immigration status or religious belief.
Every human being, for the very fact of being a person, possesses a dignity
that deserves to be treated with the utmost respect.
 "Every day we receive further news of the huge number of people in
the world who are forced to leave behind their homeland on account of
tragic situations of suffering and pain. The causes are always the same:
violation of the most elementary human rights, violence, lack of security,
wars, unemployment and poverty. ... In their attempt to arrive in a
promised land where it is possible to lead a dignified life, thousands of
people experience hunger, humiliation, violations of their dignity,
sometimes torture, and some die amid the indifference of many. It is
astonishing to see that, in the twenty-first century, there are victims of
human trafficking, forced to work in conditions of semi-slavery or sexually
abused; there are those who fall into the clutches of criminal bands who
operate at a transnational level, often with impunity on account of
corruption and certain collusion. The issue before us today, human mobility
in today's world, is entrenched in this world of pain to which no-one can
remain indifferent, especially the Church. It is the greatest movement of
people, including entire populations, of all time.
 "I think I can say with reason that in our globalised world, progress
is not achieved only with a greater flow of capital, goods and information.
An increase in the commercial and financial exchange between nations does
not automatically lead to an improvement in the living standards of the
population, nor does it automatically generate more wealth. In this regard,
we note that nations, especially those that are more economically and
socially advanced, owe their development largely to migrants. ... Those
societies in which legal immigrants are not openly welcomed, but are
instead treated with prejudice, as dangerous or harmful subjects, show
themselves to be weak and unprepared for the challenges of the coming
decades. By contrast, those that are able to see newcomers as generators of
wealth, especially of a human and cultural nature, therefore know how to
appropriately welcome them; those societies that make consistent efforts to
integrate immigrants, offer an unequivocal message of solidity and
guarantees to the entire international community, which can generate
further progress.
 "It is certain that human mobility and its impact on development are
two of the most complex social phenomena, difficult to resolve without a
general spirit of trust. On the one hand, immigrants must seek to integrate
in the country that receives them, respecting its laws and national
identity. On the other, the State also has the duty of defending its
borders, without ever forgetting the importance of respect for human righs
and the duty of solidarity. It is clear that the phenomenon of migration
cannot be resolved solely by legislative measures or by adopting public
policies, good though they may be, and far less so solely through the
deployment of the forces of security and order. The solution to the problem
of migration requires a profound cultural and social conversion that
enables a closed culture to transform into a 'culture of welcome and
encounter'.
 "In this context, the Church has always been, and will continue to
be, a loyal collaborator. ... By definition, being Catholic means being
universal and transnational. Its message is not confined to the private
lives of the faithful, but instead seeks conversion, expanding and reaching
towards paths of culture and social justice, since it is not possible to
define oneself as Christian and then turn one's back on justice and
fraternity, also with non-believers. Furthermore, the Holy See, the central
government of the universal Church, is a subject with full sovereignty in
international law and has full legal personality. ... Aided by Pontifical
Representatives, the Holy See participates in the most varied political
forums with the aim of ensuring that universal human rights are fully
protected with respect for the ethical and moral principles that shape
social life. The Church will always support, at national and international
level, any initiative for the adoption of joint policies.
 "In relation to the phenomenon of migration, we urgently need to
overcome atavistic fears and to establish common strategies at
sub-regional, regional and worldwide levels to include all sectors of
society. Let us think, for example, of the United States of America, whose
administration has in recent weeks published data referring to the
migratory flow of children who cross borders unaccompanied by adults. The
number grows exponentially day by day. Whether they are journeying because
of poverty, violence or in the hope of reuniting with families on the other
side of the border, it is urgent to protect and help them, as their
weakness is greater and, defenceless, they are vulnerable to all forms of
abuse and misfortune. Politics is the art of the possible. Let us make
possible what seems impossible; let us be ambitious in facing up to
challenges. Let us not be discouraged by apparent failures."

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 OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
 Vatican City, 15 July 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has:
 - accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of
Karaganda, Kazakhstan, presented by Bishop Janusz Wieslaw Kaleta, in
accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
 - appointed Msgr. Giuseppe Satriano as archbishop of Rossano-Cariati (area
1,415, population 139,400, Catholics 136,900, priests 87, permanent deacons
2, religious 105), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Brindisi, Italy in
1960 and ordained a priest in 1985. He holds a licentiate in bioethics from
the "Regina Apostolurum" Institute in Rome, and has served in a
number of pastoral roles, including: spiritual father and subsequently
rector of the diocesan seminary of Ostuni; vicar of the parish of
"Maria SS. Annunziati" in Ostuni; and priest "fidei
donum" in Kenya-Marsabit, and canon of the Cathedral chapter. He is
currently vicar general of the archdiocese and episcopal vicar for the
clergy and for consecrated life.
 - appointed Msgr. Wojciech Zaluski, nunciature advisor, as apostolic
nuncio in Burundi, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of
archbishop. Msgr. Zaluski was born in Zaluski-Lipnewo, Poland in 1960 and
ordained a priest in 1985. He holds a degree in canon law and has served in
the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1989, in the apostolic
nunciatures of Burundi, Malta, Albania, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Georgia,
Ukraine, Philippines, and Guatemala.

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