African asylum seekers rescued off boats and taken aboard an Italy navy ship, June 8, 2014. Photographer Massimo Sestini accompanied the Italian navy on its rescue missions earlier this month, offering a rare up-close glimpse of the men, women and children who make the dangerous trip to start a new life. Eight months after a boat carrying hundreds of migrants sank off the coast of Lampedusa, killing more than 360 people and spurring an international outcry, the flow of migrants risking the perilous sea journey to Europe shows no signs of letting up. Already this year, the number of migrants arriving by boat on Italy’s shores has surpassed 40,000, the total number of migrants that arrived in 2013. Earlier this month, Italy said it rescued some 5,200 people in the span of just four days. Officials there warn that many more will die without broader support from across Europe. Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants make the journey to Europe annually, departing from dozens of countries in Africa and the Middle East, according to the European Parliament. In recent years, Syrians fleeing the civil war in their country have joined the ranks of Eritreans, Sudanese and Somalis looking for a better life, the UN said in April.
Credit: Massimo Sestini / eyevine
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“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” Mt.25:35
Pope Francis on the refugee crisis
- Pope Francis calls for peaceful solution to wars in Syria and Iraq
Pope Francis has called for a peaceful solution to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Speaking today (Thursday 17 September) to participants of a meeting in the Vatican on the Iraqi-Syrian humanitarian crisis, the Pope points out that “the international community seems unable to find adequate solutions while the arms dealers continue to achieve their interests”.
The meeting, promoted by The Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” is attended by Catholic charities that are active in the Middle East and by the bishops of the region.
Describing the consequences of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria as “one of the most overwhelming human tragedies of recent decades, the Pope says that “Millions of people are in distressing state of urgent need”.
He highlights the particularly cruel predicament of Christians in the war-torn nations “where many brothers and sisters are oppressed because of their faith, driven from their land, kept in prison or even killed”.
Pointing out that today’s media broadcasts live the images and the stories pertaining to the catastrophe, Francis said: “No one can pretend not to know! Everyone is aware that this war weighs in an increasingly unbearable way on the shoulders of the poor. We need to find a solution, which is never a violent one, because violence only creates new wounds”.
Click here to read the full text of the Pope’s address.
- Pope Francis’ appeal to the dioceses of Europe to welcome refugee families
Vatican City, 6 September 2015 (VIS) – After praying the Angelus, Francis launched a heartfelt appeal to all the dioceses of Europe to welcome families among the tens of thousands of refugees seeking to flee the horrors of war and persecution.
“We recognise God’s mercy through our works, as is shown by the life of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the anniversary of whose death we commemorated yesterday”.
“Faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees who flee death from war or hunger, on a journey towards the hope of life, the Gospel calls to us and asks us to be close to them, to the smallest and the abandoned; to give them real hope. Not merely to say; ‘be brave, be patient’. Christian hope is assertive, with the tenacity of those who go towards a certain destination”.
“Therefore, as we near the Jubilee of Mercy, I wish to address an appeal to the parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines throughout Europe to express the concreteness of the Gospel and to welcome a family of refugees. A concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy. May every parish, every religious community, every monastery and every shrine in Europe host a family, starting with my diocese of Rome”,
“I address my brother bishops in Europe, true pastors, so that in their dioceses they may hear my appeal, recalling that Mercy is the second name of Love: ‘as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’. The two parishes of the Vatican will also welcome two families of refugees in these days”.
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News
Walk and Vigil of Solidarity: Join Bishop Crean and the people of Cobh parish to continue to raise awareness of the current refugee crisis and to remember those people who have lost their lives crossing the seas in search of a better life. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Crean on Sunday 13 September at 7.00pm in Saint Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh. This will be followed by a candle-lit vigil at 7.45pm from the Cathedral to the Promenade on the Harbour. All are welcome.
Statements
Please find here statements and resources in relation to the current refugee crisis in Syria, Iraq and North Africa:
- 12 September 2015: Bishop Martin Drennan’s message on the refugee crisis to the faithful of Galway
- 10 September 2015: Trócaire welcomes Irish Government’s decision to receive 4,000 refugees into Ireland
- 8 September 2015: Archbishop Eamon Martin’s response to the refugee crisis
- 7 September 2015: Statement from Bishop Noel Treanor on the refugee crisis in Syria, Iraq and North Africa
- 7 September 2015: Crosscare staff begin work on planning to help refugees
- 6 September 2015: The needy of today : the current refugee and humanitarian crisis in Europe
- 4 September 2015: Statement by Bishop John Buckley, Bishop of Cork & Ross, concerning the refugee crisis
- 4 September 2015: Message from Bishop Denis Nulty on the Diocesan Response to the current refugee crisis
- 3 September 2015: Trócaire urges Dáil recall and immediate response from Irish Government on European refugee crisis
- 8 August 2015: Bishop Crean calls for special prayers at Mass for all involved in the Mediterranean refugee crisis
Related statements on persecution of Christians:
16 September 2015: Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Eamon Martin joint statement in support of Christians of the Holy Land
14 August 2015: Bishop McAreavey supports ‘Christian Bells’ initiative in solidarity with persecuted Christians
A Prayer for Refugees
Almighty and merciful God,
Whose Son became a refugee
And had no place to call his own.
Look with mercy on those who today
Are fleeing from danger,
Homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
Inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
And guide the nations of Europe towards that day
When all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Trócaire’s work with refugees
- Read their blog on the current refugee crisis
- Support their current petition on refugee crisis
- Donate to their refugee crisis appeal
- Read their policy briefing paper European Migration Crisis: Failing Policies, Fatal Journeys
