Working to turn migrants away from the prospect of peace and security in a new country is “a grave sin”, Pope Francis said. Source: OSV News.
“It needs to be said clearly: There are those who systematically work by all means to drive away migrants, and this, when done knowingly and deliberately, is a grave sin,” he said during his general audience yesterday.
The Pope began his audience in St Peter’s Square by explaining that he would “postpone the usual catechesis” — he is currently in the middle of a series of talks about the Holy Spirit — to discuss “the people who, even at this moment, are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and security”.
“Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: Migrants should not be in those seas and in those lethal deserts,” he said. “And, unfortunately, they are there.”
But migrants cannot be deterred from those deadly crossings “through more restrictive laws, nor through the militarisation of borders, nor through rejections,” the Pope said.
“Instead, we will achieve it by expanding safe and legal avenues for migrants, by facilitating sanctuary for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution and many calamities; we will achieve it by fostering in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity and solidarity.”
Everyone, he added, must join forces “to combat human trafficking” and “stop the criminal traffickers who mercilessly exploit the misery of others”.
“What kills migrants is our indifference and that attitude of rejection,” he said, and, praising the many “good Samaritans” and organisations working to support migrants, he noted that ordinary people must be involved in alleviating the plight of migration as well.
“We cannot be on the front line, but we are not excluded; there are many ways for one to make their contribution, first of all prayer,” the Pope said, asking visitors in the square directly: “Do you pray for migrants? For those who come to our lands to save their lives?”
Pope Francis followed his question to the audience with a pregnant pause.
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Pope: Driving away migrants is a ‘grave sin’ (By Justin McLellan, OSV News)
