Scholarly record

ECCLESIAL SOCIAL TEACHING FOR THE DUTY OF HOSPITALITY AND JUSTICE IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION

N. E. Vacaru

Abstract

The issue of migration is a highly topical issue with major human implications, which generates many ethical and ecclesiastical issues related to human dignity, social justice, respect for human rights, solidarity in front of the risks of poverty, fragility, vulnerability, violence, injustice, exploitation and instrumentalization of the person, as well as the need to promote fair and consistent policies. According to the United Nations Reports, there are more than 250 million migrants worldwide, of which 25.4 million are refugees and 3.1 million are asylum seekers: people seeking a place to live in peace, who are fleeing war and hunger or forced to leave their country because of discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation. Although the interest of the Church on this question dates from a long time, its thought developed especially in the twentieth century, the century most marked by the phenomenon of human mobility. Since 1914, popes have regularly spoken about migration and the right to asylum. At first, their concerns were mainly the pastoral care of Catholic emigrants. Since the Second Vatican Council, the texts of the Magisterium have dealt with this theme in a broader way. Concerned about the immigration of Catholics abroad and their accompaniment by migrant priests, the perspective of Rome's interventions has gradually changed concerning the responsibility of welcoming of the local Churches and the needs of migrants - especially refugees and victims of conflict. Successive popes have delivered annual messages about migration and encouraged episcopal conferences to have a day for migrants and refugees. According to the magisterium, the Christian is called upon to help the migrant, although he must then leave to the authorities responsible for public life the task of legislating for a healthy coexistence. In addition, the Church also sets guidelines to help nations deal with the issue of migration. First, the Church holds the nations better equipped as responsible, as much as possible, to welcome foreigners in search of security and vital resources that they do not find in their native country. It also teaches that it is incumbent upon governments, to the extent compatible with the real good of their people, to encourage those who wish to integrate into the national community. The social teaching of the Church constantly stresses that, for Christians, welcoming and solidarity towards migrants is not only a human duty of hospitality, but an urgent requirement that stems from fidelity to the Gospel message. The Church looks favorably on migrants, and she has always contemplated in the migrants the image of Christ: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me' (Mt 25, 35)".

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