Several years after World War II, while Europe still faced a major crisis of displaced people and refugees, Pope Pius XII wrote the Apostolic Constitution Exul Familia Nazarethana where he addressed the need for nations to open their doors to these people and encouraged pastoral action by the Church. Citing the Holy Family as the archetype of every refugee family, he invoked their protection over all migrants and refugees who “whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, are forced to leave their native land, their beloved parents and relatives, their close friends, and to seek a foreign soil (EF ¶1).”
During his speech to a Joint Session of Congress in September 2015, Pope Francis stated that the world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War, presenting great challenges and hard decisions. The acceptance of refugees in the United States and Europe has led to inflammatory speech, many stating that Syrian refugees should be welcomed by Middle Eastern nations instead. The fact is that Jordan currently is housing 937,830 Syrian refugees, Lebanon over 1.8 million, and Turkey 1.7 million (numbers from the United Nations Refugee Agency, December 2015). Pope Francis received a round of applause when he stated that in treating refugees, we must “do unto others as you would like them do unto you.”
The Church has always been the home for immigrants and refugees, especially when these share in the one faith of the Church. In the year 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council decreed that bishops have the responsibility to provide priests for those far away from their homelands: “We find in most countries, cities and dioceses in which people of diverse languages who, though bound by one faith, have varied rites and customs. Therefore we strictly enjoin that the Bishops of these cities or dioceses provide the proper men, who will celebrate the Liturgical functions according to their rites and languages. They will administer the Sacraments of the Church and instruct their people both by word and by deed (EF ¶19).”
Each nation has the responsibility to protect its borders and determine who is allowed to cross them. In developing immigration policy, the Church encourages government leaders to be compassionate, recognizing the humanity of each person who approaches. By traveling to the US-Mexico border this month, Pope Francis reminds the world of his words to Congress: “if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
I will always be grateful for the security, life and opportunity the United States gave me when my native country was not able to provide these. Fleeing quickly due to my father’s persecution by terrorists and assassination attempt, the compassion and graciousness of the United States not only kept my father alive, but gave us peace and security. The soul of this nation is rooted in the opening of doors to others. Like the Holy Family, our ancestors (by blood or by faith) have been immigrants in a foreign land. We must do unto the immigrants knocking at our door today as we would like to be done unto us.
All pictures are mine, all rights reserved. Pictures of Muisne and Cabo San Francisco, Ecuador, 2005
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