Thread: Vatican Official in US: Immigration Has Benefits

Vatican Official in US: Immigration Has Benefits
Says Migration Is Opportunity for Interreligious Dialogue

SAN DIEGO, California, JAN. 27, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Immigration presents both a challenge and an opportunity, and requires the promotion of authentic integration as well as respect for the dignity of each person, affirmed a Vatican official in California.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, said this today in an address at San Diego University. The theme of the conference was "Religion, Migration and National Identity."

Archbishop Marchetto spoke about the cultural identity of migrants, easily lost when they move to a new society, and the need to prepare people for this step through pre-migration educational programs.

He addressed the need for genuine integration of migrants into their host society, avoiding the extremes of total rejection of the new culture and its consequent marginalization, or the migrant's adoption of the "local cultural model without in the least attempting to evaluate its consequences on the way they conduct their own lives."

The prelate stated that this intercultural integration through dialogue is the responsibility of the immigrant as well as the host society.

He continued, "A simple juxtaposition of groups of migrants and locals tends to encourage a reciprocal closure between cultures, or the establishment, among them, of relations that are merely superficial or tolerant. We should encourage instead a mutual fecundation of cultures."

Archbishop Marchetto addressed the importance of emphasizing respect for the dignity of each person, including respect for their cultural practices and religious traditions.

He pointed out that due to the link between culture and religion, "international migration has become a golden opportunity not only for dialogue between cultures, but also for interreligious dialogue."

He added, "If therefore society wants to benefit from international migration, then it must respect the freedom of migrants to profess, practice and even change their religion."

In this regard, the archbishop advocated the principle of reciprocity, "a relationship based on mutual respect and on justice in juridical and religious matters" that "enables us to live together everywhere with equal rights and duties."

He concluded by affirming the "treasure" of plurality of cultures, and the need to promote the value of unity, living as one human family according to God's design.

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Full text: www.zenit.org/article-24922?l=english

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Here we go again!

But they still will not rent out Vatican Condo's!!!!

People overseas are telling the US people what we have to put up with?

AND when was the Catholic Church a credible source?
They lied and outran our laws for CENTURY's and ruined many of the parishners lives.
The raped are then are stifled by lies. Is that a godly thing to do?
They are a lawless bunch and deserve no voice ever again.

So Mote it be,
Good Job Pope!

Originally Posted by Texas2step

dialogue."

He added, "If therefore society wants to benefit from international migration, then it must respect the freedom of migrants to profess, practice and even change their religion."

Isn't this what they call the "straw man" argument? To be against illegal immigration is to be against the benefit "from international migration". Since when did Catholics turn themselves into anti-American Communist rabble rousers? Is Lenin now a saint in the Catholic Church?

There is no benefit when the migrants are unskilled, illiterate and unable or unwilling to support themselves without handouts.

Perhaps if immigrants had respect for OUR laws, culture, language, and stopped demanding citizenship rights, we would be more open to limited amounts of LEGAL immigration.
If this person is representing the church or the LORD ALMIGHTY, he should be preaching about respecting the laws, that it is illegal to use a Social Security number which is not yours, or to assist or enable others in violating the laws of the host country. There are still a few people who understand the difference between choosing to do wrong for personal gain, or choosing to do right to receive God's blessing.