Brian R Corbin's Reflections on Religion and Life

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July 7, 2008 • 11:39 pm 0

Bishops Decry Mistreatment of Guatemalan Migrants

Criticize EU, US and Mexico

GUATEMALA CITY, JULY 7, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- The bishops of Guatemala are pleading for better treatment for migrants from their country, just as the European Union is hoping to finalize its new policy on immigrants.

In a statement Thursday, the prelates expressed their “regret and concern” over the worldwide situation of immigrants, noting that migrants are motivated by “extreme reasons — poverty, unemployment, insecurity, natural disasters, war, and others.”

Meanwhile European Union officials, at informal talks in France today, expressed optimism that the “European Pact on Immigration and Asylum” could be finalized by October. Many are criticizing the measure as xenophobic, though defenders say it is just an attempt to control and regulate human movement in the union.

The bishops took particular issue with some of the clauses in the pact, saying, “This initiative is excessively restrictive and does not give sufficient guarantees for respect of migrants’ human rights.” In that regard, they lamented that the policy gives authorities the right to detain immigrants for 18 months for processing, without any criminal charge.

The Guatemalan bishops’ statement, signed by Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini Imeri, president of the Pastoral Committee for Human Mobility, expressed their “solidarity, and moral and spiritual support to all those migrants suffering persecution, raids and deportations at present in the United States of America.” They also address “those who with despair are about to suffer xenophobic laws and policies violating fundamental human rights in the European Union — a hostile and incoherent policy such as that implemented in the United States.”

The statement notes that this year, an average of 6.5 flights a week have returned deported Guatemalans from the United States. Nevertheless, migrants in the United States have already sent $1.7 million back to their families in Guatemala during 2008.

As Church leaders, “we are worried by such events suffered by the immigrant community in the said nations, which have opted for repressive and discriminatory dispositions against thousands of illegal immigrants who contribute clandestinely to the economy of their countries of origin and of destination.”

The bishops said deportations from the United States and Mexico “in no way solve the migratory problem; they are counterproductive and inhuman actions.”

Appeal to government

The episcopal conference also called on the Guatemalan government for better measures to reinsert deported workers back into society.

“To date, the actions of the government do not guarantee a dignified stay in our country for the deported,” they lamented. “Given the economic, political and social situation, many are obliged to attempt a return to the north. Thus migration is transformed into a constant vicious circle that fosters the increase of debt in families.”

Given the migratory panorama and the situations faced by their fellow countrymen and migrants of the Central American region, the Guatemalan bishops call for “reflection by member nations of the European Union, by the United States of America and by Mexico, to act with solidarity and without prejudice to migrants.”

The bishops also exhort the migrants “to be strong in face of such blows and to remain united and in solidarity in their struggle against such adversities. They have our support and solidarity. They are present in our prayers.”

The Guatemalan bishops proposed united action from Central American groups so as to be able to “influence the European Union and call it as a whole to reflect on these attitudes against migrants.”

Filed under: Migration, Social Justice

July 3, 2008 • 6:53 pm 0

Holy See on Global Food Crisis

ZE08070305 – 2008-07-03
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-23097?l=english

“World Spends $1.3 Trillion in Armaments; Lifesaving Funds Are Unavailable”

NEW YORK, JULY 3, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave Wednesday at the general debate of the U.N. Economic and Social Council Substantive Session for 2008.

* * *

Mr. President,

This year’s High-Level Segment calls world leaders to reflect upon the progress made in achieving the United Nations development agenda and the urgency to address the developmental needs of rural communities. The ongoing food crisis, as well as the economic downturn in some developed countries, highlights the importance and relevance of our theme.

The food crisis has impacted all societies. In some places it manifests itself in scarcity of food with consequent malnourishment and starvation; in others it appears in the form of higher prices for families trying to provide for their basic needs. Despite its different manifestations, it stems from a series of concomitant causes: shortsighted economic, agricultural and energy policies, which cause a clash between the increasing demand for food and insufficient production of food, and the increase in financial speculations on commodities, the uncontrollable rise of oil prices and adverse climate conditions.

While today’s debate will appropriately focus on the structural defects of the world economy and on the causes of the emergency, we must work to ensure that this discussion is accompanied by immediate and effective action. Failure to do so will deem our meeting as a mere rhetorical exercise and avoidance of responsibilities.

Mr. President,

While this year marks the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, the worldwide food crisis threatens the attainment of the primary right of every person to be free from starvation. In this light, the Resolution on the Right to Food, recently adopted by the Human Rights Council, emphasizes correctly the obligation of States, with the assistance of the international community, to make every effort to meet the food needs of their populations through measures which respect human rights and the rule of law.

At the outset, action must be taken to assist those suffering from malnutrition and starvation. It is difficult to think that, in a world which spends over 1.3 trillion dollars each year in armaments, life-saving funds to help people in need are unavailable. A sincere will to tackle the issue must be accompanied by the necessary action, not simply words and intentions.

Going forward, the initial economic emergency aid must be accompanied by a concerted effort on the part of all to invest in long-term and sustainable agriculture programs at the local and international levels. The last twenty-five years have seen considerable progress in reducing the number of people living in extreme poverty. Unless we reinvest in agriculture, however, the progress that has been achieved through hard work and dedication risks being lost. To this end, agrarian reforms in developing countries must be sped up in order to give small-holder farmers the tools for increasing production in a sustainable manner as well as access to local and global markets.

Moreover, agricultural and environmental policies must walk the path of reason and reality in order to balance the need for food production with the need to be good stewards of the earth. The current food scarcity reemphasizes the urgency to explore new energy supplies which do not pit the right to food against other needs.

My delegation welcomes the recommendations of the recent High-level Conference on World Food Security held in Rome at the FAO. They offer a practical guide on how to deal with the short and long term consequences of the food crisis and give guidance on how to prevent it from recurring in the future.

Mr. President,

The twentieth century suffered in a tragic way from the effects of people and governments looking only within their national borders and from lack of consultation and multilateral cooperation. The present crisis is an opportunity for the global community to come together and take responsibility for our neighbor.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Filed under: Papal Teachings, Social Doctrine, Social Justice

July 1, 2008 • 10:47 pm 0

Papal Peace Day Message Looks at Poverty

Says Solution to “Scandal” Is Conversion of Heart

VATICAN CITY, JULY 1, 2008 ( Zenit.org ).- Benedict XVI is dedicating his message for the World Day of Peace to a theme lurking behind many conflicts: poverty.

“Combating Poverty: Building Peace” is the theme chosen by the Pope for this January’s 42nd World Day of Peace, celebrated on the first day of each year.

A Vatican communiqué released today explained: “The theme chosen by the Holy Father highlights the need for the human family to find an urgent response to the serious question of poverty, seen as a material problem but above all as a moral and spiritual one.”

The statement noted how the Pope — in a June 2 message addressed to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization — denounced the scandal of world poverty in the following terms: “Poverty and malnutrition are not a simple fatality, provoked by adverse environmental situations or by disastrous natural calamities. […] Purely technical and economic considerations must not prevail over the duties of justice toward people suffering from hunger.”

The communiqué added: “The scandal of poverty reveals the inadequacy of current systems of human coexistence in promoting the realization of the common good. This imposes the need for reflection on the deep roots of material poverty and, consequently, also on spiritual poverty that makes man indifferent to the suffering of others.

“The answer, then, is to be sought first and foremost in the conversion of the human heart to the God of charity, so as to achieve poverty of spirit in the terms of the message of salvation announced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Filed under: Papal Teachings, Social Doctrine, Social Justice

June 27, 2008 • 1:17 pm 0

Pontiff: Church’s Charity Shows Face of God

Shares Honduran Bishops’ Concern Over Poverty

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With its commitment to combat poverty and violence, and with its work in education, the Church shows the merciful face of God, Benedict XVI says.

The Pope affirmed this today when he received in audience the Honduran bishops, in Rome for their five-yearly visit. He reminded them that “like the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacraments, the service of charity is an essential part of the mission of the Church.”

The Holy Father highlighted the bishops’ role in this service of charity, though he added: “I know well how the poverty, which affects so many of your fellow-countrymen, afflicts you.”

Some 70% of Honduras’ 7 million inhabitants are below the poverty line.

The Pontiff assured the bishops that he shares their concern at the “increase in violence, emigration, destruction of the environment, corruption, and lack of education, among other grave problems.”

“As ministers of the Good Shepherd, you have displayed, in word and deed, an intense endeavor to assist the needy,” the Pope affirmed. He encouraged them “to continue to show in your ministry the merciful face of God, fostering in all your diocesan communities and parishes an extensive and detailed service of charity, which will reach in a special way the sick, the elderly and the imprisoned.”

In his greeting to the Pope, Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, archbishop of Tegucigalpa and president of the Honduras episcopal conference, expressed his concern over the “inhuman poverty” in his country, now aggravated by the rise in the cost of petrol and food.

This situation leads to the exodus of thousands of citizens — seeking better opportunities — which contributes to the break-up of families, he lamented.

At the same time, the country is suffering from violence and crime, though the Church has launched a nationwide campaign in favor of life.

Filed under: Caritas, Migration, Papal Teachings, Social Doctrine, Social Justice

June 27, 2008 • 1:14 pm 0

Bishops Urge Respect for Humanity of Migrants

http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-23033

ZE08062610 – 2008-06-26
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-23033?l=english

Not “Delinquents,” But “People Seeking a Better Way of Life”

TIJUANA, Mexico, JUNE 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishops directly affected by immigration in the Americas are asking that the human dignity of migrants be respected.

This was one of the appeals that came from a meeting of episcopal conferences held in Tijuana. The conference, which ended June 19, gathered representatives of bishops’ conferences from Mexico, the United States, Central America and the Caribbean.

Archbishop Christopher Pierre, apostolic nuncio in Mexico, recalled that during Benedict XVI’s April visit to the United States, the Pope stressed the importance of the issue of migration. The nuncio recalled how the Holy Father mentioned that the Church and society have experienced changes due to the presence of Hispanic immigrants.

The Church cannot be indifferent to such facts “and must integrate them in her vision to respond to the challenges,” noted Archbishop Pierre.

The papal representative appealed to the Catholic community to support migrants in various ways, acknowledging that the Church cannot have all the solutions.

During the meeting, Auxiliary Bishop Gustavo Rodríguez Vega of Monterrey, president of the Mexican episcopate’s Commission for Social Pastoral Care, noted, “There have always been migrants and there always will be, but we are referring to a very concrete problem of recent times in which the violation of the human rights of migrants and their families has worsened.”

He explained that these violations happen not only among Mexican migrants, but also among those from Central America and the Caribbean, “who seek to escape from their places of origin and find a better life by going to the United States.”

“On this path, they meet with all sorts of dangers, but also abuse of their human rights. This causes us great concern,” emphasized Bishop Rodriguez Vega.

At a press conference, Archbishop Rafael Romo Muñoz of Tijuana, an official of the Mexican episcopate’s Section for Human Mobility, acknowledged that one of the main problems on the border with the United States is the violation of migrants’ human rights.

But he called attention to another, parallel problem.

“Being on this border with the United States, much attention is paid to the treatment that Mexicans receive at the hands of North American authorities, but not so much attention is paid to Mexicans’ treatment of migrants from Central America, the Caribbean and South America, who suffer terribly,” he stressed.

“We would like our migrants to be regarded with greater humanitarian sensitivity,” the archbishop affirmed. “We have already said many times that these are people seeking a better way of life, who in no way are delinquents. What impels them is the need to be able to provide a better way of life for their families.”

Filed under: Migration, Social Justice

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