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Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerant People
Extracts from speeches by the Holy Father and positions
taken by the Holy See concerning Refugees and
Internally Displaced Persons
Overview of the period
January 1, 2002 - January 31, 2003
(Part II: July 23, 2002 - October 26, 2002)
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INTERVENTION BY THE HOLY SEE
AT THE MEETING OF THE GROUP
OF GOVERNMENTAL EXPERTS
Tuesday, 23 July 2002
Mr Coordinator,
...
There is a growing awareness among States that, today, questions of conflict
prevention, peaceful resolution of disputes, peacekeeping and post conflict
peace-building and reconstruction must be addressed within a broad understanding
of international activity and responsibility. This was made explicit
particularly in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which placed
fighting poverty at the centre of an integrated and multilateral approach to
development and peace.
The Millennium Declaration resolved "to spare no effort to ensure that
children and all civilian populations that suffer disproportionately the
consequences of... armed conflicts are given every assistance and
protection". It resolved to expand and strengthen the protection of such
civilians "in conformity with international humanitarian law".
Governments, international financial institutions, humanitarian organizations
and civil society recognise today that conflict is a major contributory cause to
poverty. They recognise that, in many countries, post conflict reconstruction is
the first prerequisite of the fight against poverty. Humanitarian law must
continually update itself to respond to new human development paradigms and
progress in human rights reflection.
Where the fight against poverty is understood in terms of enhancing human
capacity and empowering people, then weapons related factors which hinder
individuals and communities, after conflict, from rapidly returning in safety
and dignity to the normal family, economic and social activity, may well
approximate to excessive injury and suffering....
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ANGELUS
11 August 2002
1. ...
When will it be understood that the coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian
peoples cannot be brought about by arms? For it is neither attacks, nor
walls that separate, nor even retaliation that will ever lead to a just solution
of the continuing conflict.
...2. From 1967 till today, unspeakable sufferings have followed one upon
another in a frightening manner: the suffering of the Palestinians,
driven out of their land and forced, in recent times, into a state of permanent
siege, becoming as it were the object of a collective punishment; the
suffering of the Israeli population, who live in the daily terror of being
targets of anonymous assailants.
3. Faced with this humanitarian tragedy, which does not seem to show any signs
of hope, no one can remain indifferent. That is why, once again, I appeal
to the Israeli and Palestinian political leadership to set out anew on the
path of sincere negotiation. I ask the international community to work with
greater resolve in being present in the area, offering its mediation in
order to create the conditions for a fruitful dialogue that will speed the
process towards peace. I call on Christians of every part of the world to join
in my fervent and trusting prayer. Mary, Queen of Peace, grant that the cries of
those who suffer and die in the Holy Land will finally be heard.
...
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ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS OF BRAZIL'S SOUTHERN REGION II
ON THEIR "AD LIMINA" VISIT
Saturday, 31 August 2002
Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate,
...
5. ...In your various plans for pastoral activity, I have observed the emphasis
you give to young people, the family, catechesis, vocations and the media. I
hope you will also continue your concern to offer adequate direction to the
pastoral care of children.
...It is also necessary to consider the phenomenon of immigration, which
has been familiar to you for a few generations. Today it has taken on a growing
momentum in the border regions, where Latin American peoples come to seek in
your country a better living standard. I thank God for your constant concern to
keep up regular contact with the Bishops' Conferences of the neighbouring
countries in order gradually to coordinate your pastoral activities, and to
welcome with generosity and dignity those in need. I also entrust to the
activity of Pastors and priests the mission of being vigilant to the overall
negative influence of the sects, on either side of your frontier. The kind
and hospitable character of your people must not be drawn by a conformist and
utilitarian tendency to fall back on short-term solutions. One can never say too
often that "pastoral policies will have to be revised, so that each
particular Church can offer the faithful more personalized religious care,
strengthen the structures of communion and mission, make the most of the
evangelizing possibilities of a purified popular religiosity, and thus give new
life to the faith of all Catholics in Jesus Christ" (Ecclesia in
America, n. 73). ...
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INTERVENTION BY THE HOLY SEE
AT THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 26 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER)
ADDRESS OF H.E. MSGR. RENATO R. MARTINO
2 September 2002
Mr. President,
...
Taking into account that any sound and lasting agreement for achieving
sustainable development must recognize and safeguard the dignity and rights of
the human person, the continued promotion of the centrality of the human being
in the discussion of sustainable development is a core interest of the Holy See
and the main reason of its presence at this important World Summit. The
promotion of human dignity is linked to the right to development and to the
right to a healthy environment, since these rights highlight the dynamics of the
relationship between the individual and society; this stimulates the
responsibility of the individual towards self, towards others, towards creation,
and ultimately towards God.
In this regard, the Holy See continues to affirm its serious concern for the
three interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development
- the economic, the social and the environmental - and their contribution to
true integral human development and the promotion of the well-being of
all people. Development is first and foremost a question of people.
...
It must be recognized that juridical, economic and technical measures are not
sufficient to solve the problems that hamper sustainable development. Many of
these problems are issues of an ethical and moral nature, which call for a
profound change in modern civilization's typical patterns of consumption and
production, particularly in the industrialized countries.
...
The seams of human society are today torn by the lack of response to basic human
needs of millions of our brothers and sisters. No portion or member of the human
family should be reduced to live in sub-human social, economic, environmental,
cultural or political conditions. Extreme poverty is perhaps the most pervasive
and paralyzing violation of human rights in our world. In keeping with the
principle of subsidiarity, the poor must be heard on issues and be at the center
of local, national and international programs for sustainable development.
Persons living in poverty must be considered as participating subjects.
Individuals and peoples cannot become tools but must be the protagonists of
their future,9 able to be the "agents of their own
development" and, "in their specific economic and political
circumstances, to exercise the creativity which is characteristic of the human
person and on which the wealth of nations too is dependent".10
Any initiative contributing to the development and ennoblement of people needs
to address both the human being's spiritual and material existence.
...
Another high priority in sustainable development is rural development. Rural
areas account for more than half of the world's population and the poor living
in these areas often lack access to basic social services. The rise of modern
urbanization sometimes has been the cause for the rural population to be
forgotten. But it is precisely the high levels of poverty in rural areas that
have contributed substantially as a push factor to migration of populations to
urban areas....
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ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
TO THE HOLY SEE
7 September 2002
Your Excellency,
...
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of last September, the international
community has recognized the urgent need to combat the phenomenon of
well-financed and highly-organized international terrorism, which represents a
formidable and immediate threat to world peace. Spawned by hatred, isolation and
distrust, terrorism adds violence to violence in a tragic spiral that embitters
and poisons successive generations. Ultimately, "terrorism is built on
contempt for human life. For this reason, not only does it commit intolerable
crimes, but, because it resorts to terror as a political and military means, it
is itself a true crime against humanity" (Message for the 2002 World Day
of Peace, No. 4).
As an essential part of its fight against all forms of terrorism, the
international community is called to undertake new and creative political,
diplomatic and economic initiatives aimed at relieving the scandalous situations
of gross injustice, oppression and marginalization which continue to oppress
countless members of the human family. History in fact shows that the
recruitment of terrorists is more easily achieved in areas where human rights
are trampled upon and where injustice is a part of daily life. This is not to
say that the inequalities and abuses existing in the world excuse acts of
terrorism: there can never of course be any justification for violence and
disregard for human life. However, the international community can no longer
overlook the underlying causes that lead young people especially to despair of
humanity, of life itself and of the future, and to fall prey to the temptations
of violence, hatred and a desire for revenge at any cost.
...
The building of such a global culture of solidarity is perhaps the greatest
moral task confronting humanity today. It presents a particular spiritual and
cultural challenge to the developed countries of the West, where the principles
and values of the Christian religion have long been woven into the very fabric
of society but are now being called into question by alternative cultural models
grounded in an exaggerated individualism which all too often leads to
indifferentism, hedonism, consumerism and a practical materialism that can erode
and even subvert the foundations of social life....
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INTERVENTION BY MSGR. ETTORE BALESTRERO
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY
AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE - OSCE
(VARSAW, 9-19 SEPTEMBER 2002)
9 September 2002
Mr. Chairman,
...
3. A specific portion of our meeting will be devoted to the scourge of
trafficking in human persons.
The Holy See highly appreciates and supports the attention that now and in the
coming months – also in other fora – will be given to this reality, which
has been defined as the slavery of the 21st century.
Within the international community this is indeed a burning issue. Nonetheless
it is necessary for us all to confront the uncomfortable fact that so far States
have not succeeded in eliminating this trade for profit. This makes it
especially important not to give in to any demagogy which would hamper the
determination of new remedies and the implementation of the existing ones.
Numerous Catholic Organizations are actively involved in countering this scourge
with programs of assistance and rehabilitation, with health centres and with
legal and psychological assistance, with temporary accommodations, with programs
of job education and with support in finding decent employment.
4. As we know, the question of trafficking must always be taken into
consideration together with that of migration, which today is becoming an ever
more sensitive issue for many countries.
Migration is to be seen in the context of globalisation, which – in
conjunction with poverty – inevitably stimulates migration and will probably
do so all the more.
Today, migration should be still regarded in terms of opportunity: opportunity
for the migrant, opportunity for the host country.
In general terms, we should emphasize that the regulation of migration with
projects respectful of the genuine good of both migrants and the host population
would benefit all parties concerned. The human rights and fundamental freedoms
of all parties involved should obviously be guaranteed, as well as the
international protection of those who are entitled to receive it. Furthermore,
it could be opportune to take into account economic and social factors, as well
as the specific cultural identity of the host population and the need for
peaceful coexistence in its territory....
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GENERAL AUDIENCE
11 September 2002
Give young people hope for the future
...
1...One year after 11 September 2001, we state again that no situation of
injustice, no sentiment of frustration, no philosophy or religion can justify
such a deadly assault. Every human person has the right to respect for his own
life and dignity which are inviolable goods. God says it, international law
sanctions it, the human conscience proclaims it, civil coexistence demands it.
2. Terrorism is and will always be a manifestation of inhuman ferocity which, as
such, will never be able to resolve the conflicts between human persons.
Destruction, armed violence, and war are choices that sow and generate only
hatred and death. Reason and love are the only valid means for overcoming and
resolving the disputes between persons and peoples.
However, an agreed upon and resolute effort is necessary and urgent to advance
new political and economic initiatives that are capable of resolving the
scandalous situations of injustice and oppression that continue to afflict a
great many of the members of the human family, creating conditions that favour
the uncontrollable explosion of rancour. When fundamental rights are violated,
it is easy to fall prey to the temptations of hatred and violence. A global
culture of solidarity has to be built that will give young people hope for the
future. ...
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INTERVENTION BY H. E. MSGR. DIARMUID MARTIN
AT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF UNHCR
Thursday, 1 October 2002
The institutions of asylum and international protection are among of the
principal acquisitions of contemporary juridical culture. They have provided a
veritable lifeline for millions of persons over the past years, in every
continent. They must not be weakened.
As circumstances change, and as it becomes necessary to ensure that the
mechanisms of protection are updated and remain relevant to evolving conditions,
the significance of the basic institutions of asylum and international
protection must remain not just intact, but rather be enhanced.
The Holy See recognizes the importance of the global consultations which have
been taking place over the past years, culminating in the adoption of the Agenda
for Protection. The aim of the Agenda for Protection, which is not in itself a
legally binding document, is not to replace the fundamental international legal
instruments concerning protection and asylum. It is to ensure that these are
adequately applied in the changing situations of the day. The Agenda must become
a starting point for an ongoing process of collaboration to enthusiastically
ensure that the institution of protection truly responds to the changing needs
and situations of our time, placing the concrete needs of refugee people at its
centre.
The concept of cooperation is at the heart of the Agenda for Protection. The
process of implementing the Agenda will inevitably involve the establishing of
new partnerships of cooperation and burden sharing. Within this process, of
course, the Executive Committee must maintain its particular role.
The Delegation of the Holy See would like to address two specific questions
which require urgent attention for the future:
1) The "asylum-migration" nexus must be addressed urgently and
systematically. The globalization of the economy requires, and will inevitably
lead to, a new understanding of the place of migration. At a time when there is
a growing recognition of the fact that intelligent, more open and transparent
migration policies can be in the interest of both developed and developing
economies, there is often a lack of the corresponding political courage needed
to address the question. Where balanced migration policies are not in place, the
protection of the institution of asylum will inevitably be at risk, either
through the abuse of asylum procedures–including by unscrupulous traffickers and smugglers of persons - or through
unnecessarily restrictive interpretation of international norms by governments.
The lack of intelligent immigration policies only increases the likelihood of
the smuggling and trafficking of persons, while vast resources are diverted to
counteracting the movement of those who might in fact bring a useful
contribution to the economic and social progress in the host country.
2) Another question which requires urgent attention is that of the protection
of children. Refugee children, including adolescents under 18, constitute
about 45% of all refugees. They are among the most vulnerable of the refugee
population. The serious allegations regarding sexual exploitation of refugee
children clearly point to the need of a continual review of the policies of
UNHCR and all its partners in this area. We appreciate the first steps that have
been taken in this regard, but much remains still to be done.
New norms and new codes of practice, however necessary, will not on their own
provide an answer to this challenge. A fundamental cultural change is necessary.
Sexual exploitation in emergency situations is not inevitable. Sexual violence
is not an inevitable dimension of conflict. The community of nations affirms
today with renewed vigour that the systematic use of sexual violence in armed
conflict is a crime against humanity. It must affirm with equal clarity that
sexual exploitation, of children or adults, by humanitarian operators remains
equally unacceptable.
An overarching dimension of any United Nations presence today must be to witness
to standards, in this case to the accepted international high standards of
professional behaviour, as well as to international human rights and justice
standards. This is especially appropriate when working with persons who have, in
the past, been the victims of disregard for human dignity, human rights and the
rule of law. In a situation in which the power relationship between the
humanitarian operator and the refugee is so disproportionate, international
humanitarian workers must be bound by nothing less than the highest standards of
professional behaviour.
Refugees are not simply clients of humanitarian workers. They are people who
have been offended in their dignity, often at an early age. The aim of
international protection is to provide them the space within which to recover
their sense of dignity and worth.
In working with refugee children, particular attention should be given to the
family. Families in refugee situations must have access to the minimum financial
and logistical support needed for them to function as families. Provision of the
highest achievable standards of education should be a fundamental dimension of
protection. Strengthening the capacity of families, while they are living in
refugee circumstances, to carry out their educative and caring responsibilities
will enable them to offer their children a natural environment of care and
protection. It will also assist those families later to bring their contribution
of building up a strong society on their return to normal life.
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COMMENTS OF MONS. FORTUNATUS MWACHUKWU
COUNSELLOR OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE HOLY SEE
ON THE NOTE OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION.
53RD SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UNHCR
3 October 2002
The Note on Protection stresses that the need to address the root causes of
displacement is widely recognized but that implementing initiatives of conflict
resolution or of fostering human rights and democratic governance has proven
complex, because many of the actors involved come from outside the humanitarian
realm.
The causes of conflict today are indeed extremely complex, due to a web of
interconnected economic and political interests, as well as to the difficulties
in forging effective alliances in favour of the sustainable development of
conflict prone regions
We must find new forms of interaction between UNHCR and other development
partners to ensure that refugees, who already suffer marginalisation in their
own home, do not become the most marginal when it comes to realising the goals
of the Millennium Declaration. We must coherently address the gap between relief
and development.
Protection should not just look on persons as the objects of our concern for
today. Refugees must be considered as the active subjects of their own future.
Regimes of protection must be so designed that they enhance human potential to
the fullest degree possible. Refugees must be empowered to be protagonists of
their own future security. Enhancing human potential requires greater investment
in education and health care and in fostering the capacities of refugees for
future economic activity and participation in social life.
Such investment in people must also go hand in hand with the creation of a more
favourable environment for development in post-conflict situations. In this
context the Holy See hopes that already existing alliances, such as AGAMI can be
broadened with a strong human development and human rights focus, and involve a
wide range of agencies especially the World Bank, the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the ILO and the IOM.
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ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF GABON
TO THE HOLY SEE
10 October 2002
Mr Ambassador,
...
2. ...While the continent continues to suffer acutely from the various conflicts
that wound it mortally, I launch a new and insistent appeal that all Africans
may be mobilized to work hand in hand, as brothers and sisters, to make their
lands livable places where each person may have his share of the national
resources. It is important that those in charge of the destinies of African
nations persevere in creating conditions for an integral development, marked by
solidarity that will actively serve the cause of peace.
Many African countries continue to suffer situations of endemic poverty that
disfigure people and make them incapable of providing for their needs and the
needs of those for whom they are responsible, and jeopardizing in the long run
the future of the national communities. I therefore invite the legitimate
authorities of the country to pursue the fight against all forms of poverty,
that ruin the hopes of individuals and peoples and breed violence and extremism
of every kind. In this spirit, I also want to appeal for new vitality in
international cooperation, which must be rethought in terms of a culture of
solidarity to fight against the negative effects linked to globalization
.... To promote this ethic of solidarity and human advancement more effectively,
I keenly hope that the international community, especially by rethinking the
debt of the African countries, will pursue its efforts to support local
initiatives that involve the population, by guiding the realization of projects
by qualified persons who will help train the primary agents and can verify that
the goals have really been achieved....
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MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II
FOR THE 89th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2003
For a commitment to overcome all racism, xenophobia
and exaggerated nationalism
1. Migration has become a widespread phenomenon in the modern-day world and
involves all nations, either as countries of departure, of transit or of
arrival. It affects millions of human beings, and presents a challenge that the
pilgrim Church, at the service of the whole human family, cannot fail to take up
and meet in the Gospel spirit of universal charity. This year’s World Day of
Migrants and Refugees should be a time of special prayer for the needs of all
who, for whatever reason, are far from home and family; it should be a day of
serious reflection on the duties of Catholics towards these brothers and
sisters.
Among those particularly affected are the most vulnerable of foreigners:
undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, those displaced by continuing
violent conflicts in many parts of the world, and the victims – mostly women
and children – of the terrible crime of human trafficking. Even in the recent
past we have witnessed tragic instances of forced movements of peoples for
ethnic and nationalistic pretensions, which have added untold misery to the
lives of targeted groups. At the root of these situations there are sinful
intentions and actions that go contrary to the Gospel and constitute a call to
Christians everywhere to overcome evil with good.
2. Membership in the Catholic community is not determined by nationality, or by
social or ethnic origin, but essentially by faith in Jesus Christ and Baptism in
the name of the Holy Trinity. The “cosmopolitan” make-up of the People of
God is visible today in practically every particular Church because migration
has transformed even small and formerly isolated communities into pluralist and
inter-cultural realities. Places that until recently rarely saw an outsider are
now home to people from different parts of the world.
...
The Church understands that restricting membership of a local community on the
basis of ethnic or other external characteristics would be an impoverishment for
all concerned, and would contradict the basic right of the baptized to worship
and take part in the life of the community. Moreover, if newcomers feel
unwelcome as they approach a particular parish community because they do not
speak the local language or follow local customs, they easily become “lost
sheep”. The loss of such “little ones” for reasons of even latent
discrimination should be a cause of grave concern to pastors and faithful alike.
3. This takes us back to a subject which I have often mentioned in my Messages
for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, namely, the Christian duty to
welcome whoever comes knocking out of need. Such openness builds up vibrant
Christian communities, enriched by the Spirit with the gifts brought to them by
new disciples from other cultures. This basic expression of evangelical love is
likewise the inspiration of countless programmes of solidarity towards migrants
and refugees in all parts of the world.
...
Often, solidarity does not come easily. It requires training and a turning away
from attitudes of closure, which in many societies today have become more subtle
and penetrating. To deal with this phenomenon, the Church possesses vast
educational and formative resources at all levels. I therefore appeal to parents
and teachers to combat racism and xenophobia by inculcating positive attitudes
based on Catholic social doctrine.
4. Being ever more deeply rooted in Christ, Christians must struggle to overcome
any tendency to turn in on themselves, and learn to discern in people of other
cultures the handiwork of God. Only genuine evangelical love will be strong
enough to help communities pass from mere tolerance of others to real respect
for their differences.
...
Understandably, as I urge Catholics to excel in the spirit of solidarity towards
newcomers among them, I also invite the immigrants to recognize the duty to
honour the countries which receive them and to respect the laws, culture and
traditions of the people who have welcomed them. Only in this way will social
harmony prevail.
The path to true acceptance of immigrants in their cultural diversity is
actually a difficult one, in some cases a real Way of the Cross.
...
5. It hardly needs to be said that mixed cultural communities offer unique
opportunities to deepen the gift of unity with other Christian Churches and
ecclesial communities. Many of them in fact have worked within their own
communities and with the Catholic Church to form societies in which the cultures
of migrants and their special gifts are sincerely appreciated, and in which
manifestations of racism, xenophobia and exaggerated nationalism are
prophetically opposed.
...
May God’s abundant blessings be with those who welcome the stranger in
Christ’s name.
From the Vatican, 24 October 2002
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ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO
THE BISHOPS OF BRAZIL
FROM THE REGIONS 1 AND 4
ON THEIR "AD LIMINA" VISIT
26 October 2002
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate,
...
2. ...In the past ten years there has been an effort to combat illiteracy,
endemic disease and the rate of infant mortality; coexistence with poverty and
chronic wretchedness, largely due to immigration from rural areas to the city;
the problems of the fair distribution of land and attention to the people who
work on the sea, in addition to a wide range of other problems, without
forgetting drought and flooding, two sides of the same coin. All these things
are constant causes of concern for the local authorities, let alone the pastoral
planning of the different dioceses.
...
8. ...As we know, Brazilian youth are a feature of the country's life not only
because of their number, but also because of the influence on social life that
they exercise. In addition to the thorny problem of caring for minors deprived
of their dignity and innocence, there are problems linked to their insertion
into the job market, the increase in juvenile delinquency, which is largely
conditioned by the situation of endemic poverty and the lack of a family
stability and the harmful impact of some of the media, internal migration in the
quest for better living conditions in the larger cities and the worrying
involvement of young people in the world of drugs and prostitution, are all
factors that continue to be of primary concern.
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