The migrants occupy a very special place and deserve the greatest attention among others. There are millions of migrants around the world, and the numbers are increasing continuously. One of the vital missions as Catholics is to be in solidarity with the weakest and the suffering of our society. Our confessional allegiances must be challenged by the realities in which we find ourselves. We must free ourselves from institutional bondages. Migration is one of the many expressions of marginalisation that affects the poor. The main reason is because of its compulsory nature and the injustices it represents, migration calls for a commitment to fight against it, in the name of the liberated God.
The global crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic, resulted in millions of migrants loosing the jobs and to be fled to their own countries penniless. This had affected migrants both physically and mentally. Economic instability is another major woe against dignified human living. The pandemic has reminded us how essential co-responsibility is and that only with the contribution of everyone; even of those groups so often underestimated can we face this crisis. Drawing close to others often means being willing to take risks as so many medical staff have taught us during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In fact, due to its virulence, severity and geographical extent, this arise has impacted on many other humanitarian emergencies that affects millions of migrants and their families , which has relegated to the bottom of national political agendas where urgent international efforts essential to saving lives. Support for migrants are particularly vital in this moments the world is in the midst of the global forced displacements on record, brought by Covid-19 pandemic. We must continue to embrace love for our neighbourhood to counter the growing throwaway culture which disregards the human dignity of migrants. International day of migrants reminds us that it is not about where people come from but their unique God given human dignity. It reflects our call as people of faith to welcome our brothers and sisters, promote their well-being, protect them from cruelty and inhuman indifferences and assist in their integration into our community.
“Whatever you do for one of these least brothers of mine, you do it for me” (Mathew 25.40)
A migrant is forced to flee from country to country or place to place in some country mainly because he is unable to find dignity at where he is and what he is engaged in. Forced migration is not at all in line with God’s plan and will. We have to focus on the problems of migrants from the lens of humanity, of caring for and walking with our brothers and sisters that to engage in effective advocacy to safeguard human dignity in the face of this modern cruelty.
Let us stand by our migrant brothers and sisters to help them knowing it in Christ that I serve in the least of my brothers and sisters.
Message prepared by CWM Sri Lanka
WORLD MOVEMENT OF CHRISTIAN WORKERS
