Pope: Fr. Czerny, Peace Message urges the care of our common home

"Decision-makers should establish practical measures to welcome, protect, promote and integrate “and – so far as the good of their own community, rightly understood, permits – to further the aims of those who may wish to become members of a new society." At the same time, newcomers must not forget that they have a duty to respect the laws, culture and traditions of the countries where they are welcomed. "

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis's message for the World Day of Peace should be framed in the context of "care for our common home" as, as is the case with the family, decision makers are responsible for managing complex situations and quick changes, and allocating limited resources, noted Fr. Michael Czerny, S.J., Under Secretary of the Migration and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, intervening in the presentation of the papal document.

"Compassion, to open our hearts to brothers and sisters seeking a safe place to live in peace, is essential, but not enough," he explained. It "As the Holy Father has said several times, compassion and prudence need to go together. Really welcoming others requires concrete commitment, effective forms of support and, eventually, integration. Family life is a very good example. Each member has real needs. The family heads need to distinguish these from frivolous desires. Prudent parents respond and allocate resources accordingly. If resources are inadequate, they adjust goals – they do not block or expel members who seem too needy."

And as in the family, public opinion leaders "need to be both compassionate and prudent, both caring and careful. Decision-makers should establish practical measures to welcome, protect, promote and integrate “and – so far as the good of their own community, rightly understood, permits – to further the aims of those who may wish to become members of a new society”.They should bear in mind the needs of all members of the human family and the wellbeing of each and every one. At the same time, newcomers “must not forget that they have a duty to respect the laws, culture and traditions of the countries in which they are received.”

"How does a civic or religious community welcome, protect, promote and integrate the newly arrived? Whatever measures are taken, they must also fairly exercise care for the residents already in place. This can include appealing for resources from outside. For example, wealthier countries should donate generously to the places where many asylum seekers flee to settle temporarily or long-term.. "

 "In support of the important processes of reflection and discernment underway, this year’s World Day of Peace Message invites us to consider migrants and refugees as men and women who are seeking, bringing and building peace."

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