On welcoming the stranger

Catholic New Times, Jan 29, 2006

Poverty among newcomers

Perhaps the most prevalent hurdle confronting migrants to Canada is the growing poverty among newcomers. The rate of income among recent immigrants in the year 2000 was less than half that of other urban residents. Poverty and difficulties of integrating into the workforce affect women more than men ...

Christian responsibility and solidarity

Christians are to be in the forefront of international campaigns to promote just international development, cancel onerous debts, establish fair trade agreements and end child poverty, such as the Make Poverty History campaign. Unless the root causes of migration are addressed in terms of violence, ecological degradation and social inequality, more and more people will be forced to move.

The social and political attitudes of Christians ought to reflect a deep concern for the plight of immigrants and transients. It is extremely important that the Christian community be a model of acceptance and appreciation for migrants in our society. This openness should be shown to persons of all cultures and origins, no matter their immigration status. Christians are to be among those who refuse to let injustice toward migrants continue, let alone increase.

Conclusion

Migrants and refugees are a reminder that all of us before God are "aliens and transients." Their presence among us is a source of mutual enrichment for humanity as well as an encouragement toward dialogue and unity. Moreover, their presence is a sign of the Risen Christ. When people of different origins are welcomed, God is revealed: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

Editor's note: The Worm Day for Migrants and Refugees was celebrated in Canada and around the worm on Jan. 15. The Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) recently released a pastoral letter on Immigration and the Protection of Refugees called "We are aliens and transients before the Lord our God." Parts of the text are excerpted here. The full text and footnotes can be found at www.cccb.ca.