Be with the migrants and refugees

Sep 19, 2020

JOHOR: Bishop Bernard Paul, the President of the Episcopal Regional Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants, released a message for the local observance of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated universally on Sept 27, 2020.

Please see below for the text of his message:

We will be celebrating the World Day for Migrants and Refugee on Sept 27, 2020. The theme for this year is Forced like Jesus Christ to Flee. We connect with the countless displaced persons, dispersed all over the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit hardest the migrants, the refugees, the displaced and victims of human trafficking. The Migrant & Refugee Section of the Vatican has been faithfully reminding us that “no one must be forgotten”.

Many felt locked down and left behind. Others were left to live precariously, abandoned, marginalised and rejected. They were the fleeing, the forced, and the fragile. We have met them. Our paths have crossed theirs. Did we see the Lord? The fleeing Lord? Dirty? Disfigured? Desperate? In dire straits?

We met Him, when we stopped to care.

Care begins with Pope Francis’ four simple verbs given in 2018: Welcome, Protect, Promote, Integrate.

This year Pope Francis introduces six pairs of verbs:

1 know to understand,
2. be close to serve,
3. listen to reconcile,
4. share to grow,
5. be involved to promote,
6. cooperate to build.

A simple “welcome” sparks the “care process”. Get close to be close. He is them.

God bless you. Let us together build His Kingdom.

Bishop Bernard Paul
President of the Episcopal Regional
Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants