ASIA/SINGAPORE - Archbishop Goh: "Justice for migrants; building unity in the name of Christ "

Wednesday, 10 October 2018 human rights human dignity work migrants solidarity unity

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Singapore (Agenzia Fides) - It is necessary to treat immigrants, in work places, "according to the principles of fairness and equality, without any discrimination"; and we must rediscover and live unity in the name of Christ, given that "cultural diversity is a treasure": this is the appeal launched by the Archbishop of Singapore, Mgr. William Goh, who in recent days celebrated a special Mass dedicated to migrants, in the Church of the Transfiguration, according to a tradition that is repeated in the diocese.
Before the beginning of the Mass, the parish priest, Fr. Joachim Chang welcomed representatives of various migrant Catholic communities, each with gifts connected to their own culture. About 3,000 faithful took part in the annual celebration organized by the diocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
As Fides learns, in his homily, Archbishop Goh recalled: "Everyone has ambitions in life. But ambition can be disruptive and personal motivation can be selfish. We must transform this ambition of vocation, which is the call to serve God and serve humanity". "All of us - he continued - have a duty to seek and understand our vocation and we must also help others to realize their vocation of love and service".
Speaking of the condition of migrants and dignity in workplaces, Archbishop Goh stressed "the abuse of workers by employers, some of them Catholic". "It breaks my heart, honestly, when I hear such abuse", he said, urging those who hold influential positions in workplaces to "speak for those who are treated unjustly or discriminated against".
After the solemn Eucharist, the various communities of migrants (from countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and others) offered typical shows of their culture. They thanked for "the welcome received from the Catholic community in Singapore", Father Joachim Chang told Fides. "These colors and different languages - observed Conny Fernandez, a Catholic volunteer - recall what it means to be Catholics, especially in these times when cultural or ethnic differences can constitute a barrier among men.
We are united in the name of Christ, we are all God's children". (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 10/10/2018)