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Skriven 2004-12-13 10:56:50 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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              The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                        Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

MESSAGE FOR MIGRANTS, REFUGEES ON INTERCULTURAL INTEGRATION

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2004 (VIS) - The Message of the Holy Father John Paul II
for the 91st World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2005 was made public today in
English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and German. Dated November 24,
2004, it focuses on the theme "Intercultural Integration."

The Pope begins by quoting the Instruction "Erga migrantes caritas Christi"
(The love of Christ towards migrants) which notes that "integration ... is a
lengthy process that aims to shape societies and cultures, making them more and
more a reflection of the multi-faceted gifts of God to human beings. In this
process the migrant is intent on taking the necessary steps towards social
inclusion, such as learning the national language and complying with the laws
and requirements at work, so as to avoid the occurrence of exasperated
differentiation."

In the Message, which focuses on implications of the intercultural dimension of
integration, the Pope writes: "By introducing themselves into a new
environment, immigrants often become more aware of who they are, especially
when they miss the persons and values that are important to them. In our
society, characterized by the global phenomenon of migration, individuals must
seek the proper balance between respect for their own identity and recognition
of that of others. Indeed, it is necessary to recognize the legitimate
plurality of cultures present in a country, in harmony with the preservation of
law and order, on which depend social peace and the freedom of citizens."

He emphasizes that "it is essential to exclude on the one hand assimilationist
models that tend to transform those who are different into their own copy, and
on the other, models of marginalization of immigrants, with attitudes that can
even arrive at the choice of apartheid." There is need for "dialogue between
people of different cultures in a context of pluralism that goes beyond mere
tolerance and reaches sympathy. ... We should encourage instead a mutual
fecundation of cultures."

Turning to the duties of Christians in this context, the Holy Father writes
that they "can also recognize in the various cultures the presence of 'precious
elements of religion and humanity'. ... It will, of course, be necessary to
combine the principle of respect for cultural differences with the protection
of values that are in common and inalienable, because they are founded on
universal human rights."

Christians must continue to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, "in respect for the
conscience of others," he states. "They must above all listen to the cry for
help that comes from a multitude of migrants and refugees, but they must then
foster, with active commitment, prospects of hope that will herald the dawn of
a more open and supportive society. It is up to them in the first place to make
out God's presence in history, even when everything still seems to be enveloped
in darkness."
MESS/MIGRANTS:REFUGEES/... VIS 041209 (490)

SUMMARY

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