Abuse of migrants requires church action, say Vatican officials

Published: 2003-11-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The increasing exploitation and abuse of migrant populations require new human rights steps by states and new pastoral strategies by Catholic communities worldwide, Vatican officials said. The church will take a closer look at its own programs during the Fifth World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, to be held in Rome Nov. 17-22. The goal of the congress will be to "examine the church's vision of human mobility" in all its dimensions -- including humanitarian and spiritual needs, as well as ecumenical and interreligious aspects, said Cardinal Stephen F. Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers. At a Vatican press conference Nov. 11, Cardinal Hamao and other council officials traced the dimensions of the migrant and refugee situation today and said the church needs to take a fresh look at some of its policies. The theme of the congress is "Starting Afresh from Christ: Toward a Renewed Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees." Participants will examine questions of material assistance, liturgy, social justice and on-the-ground experiences on every continent.

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