Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - The president of the Spanish Bishops' Commission for Migration, Bishop José Sánchez, yesterday presented a theological pastoral statement "The Church in Spain and Immigrants ", which offers a theological-pastoral reflection on the issue and practical guidelines for pastoral care of immigrants. The text was approved by the Bishops at their last plenary assembly on 22 November (see Fides 27/11/2007).
In view of the changing phenomenon of migration, ten years since the last Bishops' Document on the Pastoral Care of Immigrants (1994), and following the Pontifical Instruction “Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi”, the Spanish Bishops' Conference decided to issue new guidelines. The document is a theological reflection and also offers suggestions for pastoral work. It is addressed to all Church members and institutions involved in assisting immigrants especially with regard to the role of immigrants in the transformation of communities and society.
The document has six chapters: information on the present situation of immigration, especially in Spain; a brief reflection on immigration as a social phenomenon, its causes and consequences; the phenomenon concerns the whole of society and is a moment of grace; examples of reference from Holy Scripture and Catholic Social Doctrine through history; basic principles for Pastoral Care of Immigrants and how this affects pastoral in general; lastly the persons, functions and structures involved in pastoral care for immigrants. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/12/2007; righe 23, parole 288)
