Since last October some 57,000 children, mainly from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, have crossed into the United States; many of them alone seeking refuge from poverty and violence in their own country.
Earlier this week, Pope Francis called for an end to the racist and xenophobic approach to this situation. In his message to the Mexico-Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development, Pope Francis called for a change in the way migrants are viewed, especially unaccompanied children.
He said:
“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.”
Since last October some 57,000 children, mainly from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, have crossed into the United States; many of them alone seeking refuge from poverty and violence in their own country.
Earlier this week, Pope Francis called for an end to the racist and xenophobic approach to this situation. In his message to the Mexico-Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development, Pope Francis called for a change in the way migrants are viewed, especially unaccompanied children.
He said: “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.”
Of course this is a very complex situation. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell met privately with a number of governors last week to garner support from these state leaders to host thousands of the children. Naturally there was concern that many states are already strapped financially and such a move would put extra burden on their social services systems.
Many US politicians on both sides believe the best solution is to find ways to safely return the children to their countries.
The Pope sees the situation as a “humanitarian emergency” and he wants the children to first be welcomed and protected. He also said that these protective measures are not enough “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.”
He is asking for the entire international community to come together and give greater attention to the issue, so that “new forms of legal and secure migration may be adopted.”
Pope Francis called the faithful to move “away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture,” and instead foster “attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world.”
I love this Pope for his thoughtfulness and directness, not being afraid to call it as he sees it. Racist and xenophobic are very strong and indicting words. Words that hopefully will change the tenor of the discussion to one that is more compassionate and inclusive and less polarizing.
