Tag Archive for ‘migrants’
“For You Were Strangers In The Land of Egypt”
Five years ago, I visited the UK during the Brexit campaign. It was an interesting time to be there. However, for me, the historic importance of the vote’s outcome was overshadowed by a chance meeting the day after. I was leaning on the railing along the promenade of a south coast town, stoically enjoying the […]
A reflection on the prayer of Jacob
An edited version of the Pope’s catechesis One day Jacob hears the call of home. He sets out, undertaking a long journey until he reaches the final step, the Jabbok stream. Here the Book of Genesis (32: 23-33) describes that the patriarch Jacob, after having all of his people and all the livestock cross the […]
‘Forced like Jesus Christ to Flee’
World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees in New Zealand, 21 June As the title for his annual message for the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugess, Pope Francis has chosen ‘Forced like Jesus Christ to Flee’. The message will focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who currently […]
Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
(Abridged) Faith assures us that in a mysterious way the Kingdom of God is already present here on earth (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 39). Yet in our own time, we are saddened to see the obstacles and opposition it encounters. Violent conflicts and all-out wars continue to tear humanity apart; injustices and discrimination follow one […]
Refugeees and Migrants
In late June, the Vatican released a statement saying that Pope Francis was deeply upset by the photo of a father and daughter from El Salvador, Oscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his nearly 2-year-old daughter Valeria, who drowned while attempting to cross the Rio Grande to reach Brownsville, Texas: “The pope is profoundly saddened by […]
Tuesday 9 July
Genesis 32:23-33; Psalm 17; Matthew 9:32-38 Discipleship Throughout Aotearoa New Zealand we witness the changing shape of the Body of Christ, not only through our welcome to migrants and first generation New Zealanders, but also as different communities change and grow in their understanding of discipleship. A rich concept of collaboration and partnership in ministry […]
Pope in Morocco and Belgium
Last Saturday and Sunday I undertook an Apostolic Journey to Morocco, invited by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. To him and to the other Moroccan authorities I renew my gratitude. The King was so brotherly, so friendly, so close. Above all I thank the Lord, who permitted me to take another step on the path […]
104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees
14 January 2018 Statistics about refugees and migrants are mind-boggling and horrendous. The United Nations Refugee Agency calculates that 65.6 million people were forced from their homes in 2016. Among them were nearly 22.5 million refugees, more than half of whom were under the age of 18. Of these, about 8 million were being hosted […]
Brownsville Parish Texas Welcomes Immigrant Children
This article is reprinted from The Valley Catholic, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. Used with permission, and with thanks to the Editor, Brenda Nettles Riojas. ‘I see some of them crying as they pray’ Almost every Sunday, more than 100 immigrant children under 18 years of age attend Mass at San […]
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