January 7-13 is the 26th annual observance of National Migration Week for the US Catholic Church which culminates with the 93rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees in the Catholic Church. In his address for the occassion, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us of the plight of the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt, and notes that

in this misfortune experienced by the Family of Nazareth, obliged to take refuge in Egypt, we can catch a glimpse of the painful condition in which all migrants live, especially, refugees, exiles, evacuees, internally displaced persons, those who are persecuted. We can take a quick look at the difficulties that every migrant family lives through, the hardships and humiliations, the deprivation and fragility of millions and millions of migrants, refugees and internally displaced people. The Family of Nazareth reflects the image of God safeguarded in the heart of every human family, even if disfigured and weakened by emigration.

The theme for National Migration Week in the US Church is "Welcoming Christ in the Migrant." Bishop Gerald Barnes, the chairperson of the USCCB Committee on Migration, writes:

The theme for 2007 is Welcoming Christ in the Migrant, which is at once an invitation and a challenge to provide welcome for the migrants, immigrants, refugees, human trafficking victims, and other people on the move who come to our land seeking justice and peace. Our theme reminds us of Jesus' scriptural admonition to us: 'Lord, when did we see you a stranger ... and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' (Mt. 25: 44-45) This reminder is particularly timely as our citizens and leaders grapple with the complexities and many dimensions of the migration experience. Our nation's legitimate security concerns have been distorted by some who would foment anxiety, fear, and a distrust of migrants. The present immigration reform debate has lost much of its reason and is often being fueled by raw emotions. Scriptures and Catholic Social Teaching call upon all of us to examine the issues and respond to the strangers among us as we would to Jesus Himself. The Holy Family found safety and new lives in Egypt during their time of great need. Many migrants today follow similar paths as they embark on their journey of hope. . . . Additionally, we encourage you to become informed and active in the Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope campaign. More information about this Catholic immigration reform initiative can be found at www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

When we reach out to aid and comfort the newcomers to our land we are indeed offering ourselves and our gifts in service to the Lord. This is not only our Christian duty but a privilege, knowing that we too have been adopted into God's family. May you be richly blessed by your faithful acts of hospitality in Christ's name.

The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People explains that the Church recognizes people's right to migrate but does not encourage the practice due to the fact that the migrant often suffers in this process. At the same time, the Council notes that the suffering involved in migration is often the lesser evil for many people in desparate situations, and when people do migrate, the receiving country should recognize and welcome these "strangers" as the children of God that they are. The Council goes on to explain that

Migration today is practically an expression of the violation of the primary human right to live in one's own country. The origin of such a violation is found in wars, internal conflicts, the system of government, unequal distribution of economic resources, incoherent agricultural policy, irrational industrialization, widespread corruption. These situations are to be corrected through the promotion of balanced economic development, progrssively overcoming social inequalities, scrupulous respect for the human person and the proper functioning of democratic structures.It is necessary to carry out urgent corrective measures to the present economic and financial system, dominated and manipulated by the industrialized countries. These very same countries are presently threatening to annul even the right to emigrate, which has always been considered an alternative to the impossibility of living in one's own country.

The Council addresses the fact that we cannot deny people the right to immigrate without addressing the reasons they are leaving their own countries, stating that

the most evident consequence of such logic is an increase in the rate of illegal migration. This causes anxiety in destination countries, jeopardizing the context for integration. It is a dangerous involution, before which it is not improper to challenge the policy of the exclusion of immigrants, right at a time when the living conditions in developing countries are becoming more and more dramatic. Closing the doors to immigration without a commitment to remove its causes is a double injustice. Besides it is not ethically acceptable to reject the migrant worker as well as the product on which he invests his labor in his country of origin through exorbitant tariffs.Poverty, which is the generator of migration, requires an urgent solution. Progress is such only when it is transformed into development for all persons. This means sharing of goods and a more sober lifestyle on the part of rich countries.

As we attempt to deal with immigration issues in our own country, we must look to solutions that deal not simply with protecting our borders but rather address the root causes of why people are leaving their own countries in the first place. For more information on the positions and actions taken by the US Catholic Church on immigration issues, go to the USCCB website. For those who live in the Milwaukee area, there will be a "Justice for Immigrants Educational Forum" held at Gesu Parish on Tuesday, Feb. 6th. For more information on this forum, click here.

On a related note, January is also Poverty in America Awareness Month, but so as not to wear out your good nature, I will talk more about that next week!