23 and fidelity, part of Christian identity itself”23 This is a challenge for most of the Global North. The Church’s response is to listen respectfully to migrants, help them to become acquainted with their situation, and, whatever their legal status regarding state law, to provide them with the necessary means of subsistence.24 Immigrants as recognized and accepted by the church. The church “is the place where ‘illegal’ immigrants are also recognised and accepted as brothers and sisters”25. Therefore, dioceses, parishes, and communities around the world must work to ensure that migrants find safe and secure social environments within the Christian community of fraternity and solidarity. The Church acknowledges that “the most appropriate choice, which will yield consistent and long-lasting results is that of international cooperation which aims to foster political stability and to eliminate underdevelopment.”26 The Church respects the laws of the state, including those governing immigration, but demands that those laws be just. The Church, therefore, is called to cooperate with the state in improving the law, especially in the case of migrants who cannot return to their country of origin without risking their lives. This includes political, social and legal activism. It is incumbent on all Christians to help migrants in irregular situations find shelter. The aim is not “lawlessness” but the protection of those who are not treated fairly by the law or whose cases deserve to be reconsidered. Respect for migrants’ culture Migrants bring their unique culture and experiences. The issue of integrating families and individuals into a new society, a new culture, and a new experience of church is complex.. This becomes urgent when globalisation is often accompanied by the tendency to impose a dominant culture, to force other cultures to conform as in the case of migrating to the West. The rivalry between cultures is real.27 “Western cultural models are enticing and alluring because of their remarkable scientific and technical cast, but regrettably there is growing evidence of their deepening human, spiritual, and moral impoverishment.”28 Social evangelisation requires respect and acceptance of the cultural practices of immigrants, if they do not contradict the universal moral values 28 Catholic Church, and John Paul, Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, n. 9. 27 Catholic Church, and John Paul, Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2001. (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001), n. 8-10. 26 Catholic Church, and John Paul, Undocumented Migrants, Message of Pope John Paul II for World Migration Day, n. 5. 25 Catholic Church, and John Paul, Undocumented Migrants, Message of Pope John Paul II for World Migration Day, n. 5. 23 Kerwin and Gerschutz, And You Welcomed Me: Migration and Catholic Social Teaching, 72. 24 Catholic Church, and John Paul, Undocumented Migrants, Message of Pope John Paul II for World Migration Day (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1996) n. 3.
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