– Supernatural war in UkraineThe war, which has been dragging on since the tragic 27 February, among the many humanitarian tragedies it has brought with it, has once again amplified the mobility of migrants and refugees in Europe, fleeing bombs and seeking hospitality wherever they can. Faced with the effects of a war "next door"The peoples of Europe are setting an example of welcome and closeness to their ".cousins"Ukrainians as never before, starting with Poland, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of them. The current migration flow is considered the most serious since World War II.
In the dozens of speeches in which Pope Francis has appealed almost daily for an end to war - unequivocally defined as a useless and at the same time sacrilegious tragedy - while calling for the urgent opening of humanitarian corridors, the spirit of welcome that is lived on the continent even in the indescribable drama of the conflict is very much appreciated. In his recent Message Urbi et Orbi On Easter Sunday, for example, the Pope emphasized how the open doors of so many families in Europe are encouraging signs, true acts of charity and blessings for our societies".sometimes degraded by so much selfishness and individualism".
However, it is not enough to dwell on the extemporaneity of the moment or on the contingency of a drama that is taking place a few kilometers from us, because these situations have also existed for many years in other parts of the world. It is not by chance that in the same Message, Francis mentioned the Middle East, Libya, various African countries, the peoples of Latin America, Canada... recalling how the consequences of war affect all humanity. However, "peace is our duty, peace is the main responsibility of all of us.".
Intercultural welcome
In this context, a document published on March 24 by the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, a document that has gone somewhat unnoticed, is back in the limelight. It is a document that has gone somewhat unnoticed. Guidelines on the pastoral care of intercultural migrantsThe report also highlights the proposals that can emerge for communities called upon to welcome those fleeing the most diverse situations.
The perspective of these Guidelines is linked to the intercultural theme that characterizes today's migrations, so it analyzes all those challenges that arise in an increasingly global and multicultural scenario, suggesting to Christian communities welcoming practices that are also an opportunity for missionary work, as well as for witness and charity.
It is a text that emerged from meetings with various representatives of Episcopal Conferences, religious congregations and local Catholic realities, who initially delved into the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees in 2021, Towards a bigger and bigger us.
In the preface to the Guidelines, which are made up of 7 points-challenges (each with 5 concrete answers), Pope Francis reiterates the need to build a "culture of encounter"as he had underlined in Fratelli TuttiThis is the meaning of true Catholicity. From the encounter with those who are strangers and belong to different cultures, among other things, comes the opportunity to grow as Church and to enrich one another.
It is an invitation "to broaden the way in which we live being Church", looking at the drama of the "prolonged uprootingThe "war" in which many are forced to live, also because of the wars, allows them to live "in a world where they are forced to live", and "in which they are forced to live".a new Pentecost in our neighborhoods and in our parishes", writes the Pope. But it is also a form of "to live a Church that is authentically synodal, moving, not staticThe "native and foreigner", which does not differentiate between natives and foreigners because we are all on the move.
Overcoming fear
The first point of the document is an invitation to recognize and overcome the fear of those who are different, often the victim of prejudice and exaggerated negative perceptions, such as the threat to the political and economic security of the host country, which often lead to attitudes of intolerance.
The Church's response to this first challenge can be articulated in several ways, starting with making known the personal stories of those fleeing their lands, the causes that led them to emigrate; then it is necessary to involve the media in the dissemination of good practices of welcome and solidarity; to use positive language based on solid arguments; to promote empathy and solidarity and to involve adolescents and young people in these dynamics.
Promote the meeting
The second aspect refers to the promotion of encounter, facilitating practices of integration instead of exclusion. In this sense, a series of actions are also necessary, such as promoting a change of mentality that leads to reversing the logic of discarding for a "logic of integration".culture of care"The mission of the parish is to help people see the phenomenon of migration in its globality and interconnectedness; to organize training sessions to help them understand welcome, solidarity and openness towards foreigners; to create meeting spaces for newcomers; to train pastoral agents involved in welcoming immigrants so that they feel they are an active part of the dynamics of the parish.
Listening and compassion
A third point concerns listening and compassion, as suspicion and lack of preparation can often lead to ignoring the needs, fears and aspirations of immigrants. This should be directed first and foremost to minors and the deeply wounded, organizing assistance programs with those most in need; encouraging health and social workers to offer specific services to address specific situations.
Living Catholicity
One of the problems encountered in recent decades is that, even in populations with a Catholic tradition, nationalist sentiments have taken root that exclude the "different". This tendency is, in fact, contrary to the universality of the Church, provoking divisions and not promoting universal communion. Here it is important to make this particular aspect of the Church understood as "communion in diversity"We must also understand that the multiplicity of cultures and religions can be an opportunity to learn to appreciate those who are different from us. It is also necessary to understand that the multiplicity of cultures and religions can be an opportunity to learn to appreciate those who are different from us; this also requires specific pastoral attention, as a first step towards a more lasting integration, through well-trained and competent workers.
Immigrants as a blessing
It is often forgotten that there are communities in which practically all the parishioners are foreigners, or in which the priests themselves come from abroad. This can be considered a blessing in the midst of the spiritual desert brought about by secularism. It is therefore necessary to enhance the opportunities offered by those who come from abroad, allowing them to feel that they are also an active part of the life of the local communities, making them feel that they are "part of the community.true missionaries"and witnesses to the faith; possibly adapting pastoral structures, catechetical programs and formation.
Evangelizing mission
A correct understanding of the migratory phenomenon, together with a habitual identity, also keeps away the perception of threats to one's own religious and cultural roots. In this sense, the arrival of immigrants, especially of other faiths, can be considered a providential opportunity to carry out one's own "evangelizing mission"through witness and charity. This requires the activation of an expanded dynamism that also includes the activation of charitable services and interreligious dialogue.
Cooperation
The last point concerns the challenge of coordinating all these initiatives to avoid fragmentation in view of a truly effective apostolate that optimizes resources and avoids internal divisions. Everyone must be involved in sharing visions and projects, experiencing first-hand the pastoral responsibility of this type of "care". Cooperation should also include other religious denominations, civil society and international organizations.
As we see, these are all concrete elements for a true and dignified welcome, which can also be useful in this period in which many parishes are taking steps to show their closeness to the Ukrainian people. A true testing ground of charity and mission.
