Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Stuttgart (Agenzia Fides) - "Many of the issues that now occupy the top positions in the international debate on migration also existed in the past, which saw this phenomenon in constant evolution. Migration, in fact, characterizes the history of humanity". This was highlighted by Fr. Gabriele Bentoglio, Scalabrinian missionary, Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, in his speech during the Scalabrini-Fest 2015, which was held at the Centre of Spirituality in Stuttgart from 2 to 4 October, organized by the Scalabrinian Secular Missionaries, with about 250 participants of 29 nationalities.
According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, in the report entitled "The whole world is moving: the prophetic intuition of John Baptist Scalabrini", Fr. Bentoglio stressed that already in the second half of the eighteenth century, "Scalabrini understood the political, social and religious importance of the migration phenomenon in modern societies and its universal dimension. Even if he was aware that migrations were often accompanied by deep injustice and exploitation, Scalabrini saw in them a challenge full of hope". The Magisterium of the Church realized the importance to carry out over the decades, the great intuitions of Scalabrini, both in terms of the vision of faith of migration and in the methods of pastoral accompaniment of migrants and the social and political interventions in their favor.
Addressing the faithful gathered for the Eucharistic celebration, the Auxiliary Bishop of Stuttgart, His Exc. Mgr. Thomas Maria Renz, wanted to give a special welcome to those who arrived in Germany a few days ago. Some raised their hands: they were Eritrean, Iraqi and Syrian refugees, but also young students or migrants from other European countries. A significant gesture: the Bishop wanted to manifest all the attention of the Catholic Church toward those who arrive in Germany, destination of many migratory movements which has seen in recent months many refugees fleeing the war. (LD/SL) (Agenzia Fides 09/10/2015)
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