ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”: Message from the Korean Bishops for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2009

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35): this is the title of the Message written by the Korean Bishops for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2009, which will be celebrated April 26. The message was presented to the Commission for Pastoral Care of Migrants and signed by the President of Commission, Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik of Daejeon.
The message is an invitation to the Catholic faithful to welcome immigrants and foreigners who come to Korea, mainly in search of employment, looking upon them with love, keeping in mind the commandment that says “love your neighbor as yourself.” The Message is also dedicated to the immigrants, reminding them that their experience is similar to that of Jesus' apostles: “They lived a large part of their lives as foreigners and were constantly helped by their neighbors,” a sign of Divine Providence.
The Bishop recalled the economic and social difficulties that lead people from various Asian nations to go in search of work and a better life in Korea, which is seen as a nation of progress, movement, one that guarantees the welfare of its citizens. The hope is that Koreans will be able to establish a pluralist and multicultural society, where all people can express themselves and be accepted, in spite of the differences in nationalities, cultures, and religions. A sign of this is the multicultural mix of families already living in Korea, which bear witness to the possibility of an exchange and mutual enrichment between nationalities.
The Message comments that the immigration entering Korea presents various challenges to the Church in the country in terms of material, social, psychological, and spiritual assistance to migrant families, as well as teaching values of sharing and solidarity. The Church should encourage the various sectors of society, including politicians, to make efforts in protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of migrant families. And lastly, from a pastoral point of view, there is a need to focus on the corresponsibility of the migrant family as active subjects of evangelization. Oftentimes, in fact, there are many Catholic families who come to Korea (especially from the Philippines), who can make a contribution to the local communities in renewing the faith and bringing the “new evangelization” to other families. Immigrant families are, therefore, a valuable resource for the local Church. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2009)