VATICAN - “The future of our societies rests on the meeting between peoples, on dialogue between cultures with respect to their identities and legitimate differences”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The future of our societies rests on the meeting between peoples, on dialogue between cultures with respect to their identities and legitimate differences. In this scene the family retains its fundamental role. Because of this, the Church, with the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ in every sector of existence, carries forward "the commitment .... in favor not only of the individual migrant, but also of his family, place and resource of culture and life and factor of integration of values.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI in addressing participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, whose theme was: “Pastoral Care of Human Mobility Today, in the Context of the Co-Responsibility of States and of International Organizations.” The Pope received them in an audience this morning, May 28.
“Appreciable is the effort to build a system of shared norms that contemplate the rights and duties of the foreigner, as well as those of the host community, taking into account, in the first place, the dignity of every human person, created by God in his image and likeness (cf. Genesis 1:26). Obviously, the acquisition of rights goes hand in hand with the acceptance of duties. All, in fact, enjoy rights and duties that are not arbitrary, because they stem from human nature itself,” the Pope said.
He then mentioned that the States and International Organizations have the responsibility of “to influence questions that, respecting the competencies of the national legislator, involve the whole family of peoples, and exact an agreement between governments and the organisms most directly concerned.” He then mentioned problems such as the entry or forced removal of the foreigner, the enjoyment of the goods of nature, of culture and of art, of science and technology, the important role of mediation so that “national and international resolutions, which promote the universal common good, finds acceptance with local entities and are reflected in daily life.”
While there are signs of hope “a world social order founded on peace, fraternity and universal co-operation,” there is also “the re-emergence of particular instances in some areas of the world,” Benedict XVI emphasized. He continued: “In fact, prospects of coexistence between peoples can be offered through prudent and concerted lines for reception and integration, consenting to occasions of entry in legality, favoring the just right to the reuniting of families, asylum and refuge, compensating the necessary restrictive measures and opposing the disgraceful traffic of persons. Precisely here the various international organizations, in cooperation among themselves and with the states, can furnish their peculiar contribution in reconciling, with various modalities, the recognition of the rights of the person and the principle of national sovereignty, with specific reference to the exigencies of security, the public order and control of borders.” In closing, Benedict XVI mentioned that “the fundamental rights of the person can be the focal point of the commitment of co-responsibility of the national and international institutions,” closely linked to “openness to life, which is the center of true development.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2010)