Mexican bishops: The cry of migrants is the cry of the Church

Mexico City, Mexico, May 1, 2017 / 23:35 pm

In the context of their 103rd Full Assembly, the Mexican Bishops Conference released a statement on the suffering on migrants, calling for efforts to fight corruption and promote a dignified life.

In a communiqué released April 27, the Mexican bishops said that "we hear in the suffering of the migrant the voice of God which, like a cry, is calling out to our hearts and invites us to action."

It is the cry, they said, "of those driven by poverty or violence to leave behind their homes, to work honestly and contribute to the development of the country they have come to, but on their way and even in their destination, they are obliged to live in the shadows, suffering isolation, mistreatment, racism and exploitation."

"The cry of those who are detained… the dramatic cry of the children and their parents who see their family ripped apart by deportations."

It is "the cry of maladjustment and the helplessness of those repatriated who have to start over their lives. These are truncated lives and dreams. These are traumas and resentments that can fuel violence."

"The cry of all of them is the cry of all of us as a Church. It's our cry! And, if we are human, it ought to be everyone's cry," the Mexican bishops said.

They emphasized that the suffering of migrants "requires us to overcome the isolation of individualism that makes us vulnerable…we will only respond to this cry when we work together for a decent life for everyone."

Everyone should have access to "an education that forms persons and citizens," as well as "the opportunity for a decent job and a fair wage," they added.

"And so it is urgent to fight corruption and impunity in any environment, since these things destroy trust, limit commitment and inhibit development," they said.

"Although some voices are sowing pessimism and discouragement, we Christians are encouraged by the light of the Risen Christ, who has conquered evil and death," the Mexican bishops said.

They noted that "the efforts of many men and women encourage us with their personal integrity, their family life and their creative service for their neighbor, (they) make it possible for this Mexican society to not remain in darkness."