BELGIUM
“The regularization of the sans-papier [illegal immigrants] is first and foremost a political question. It therefore requires a response” by “our politicians”, but “it is also a human drama that, as such, concerns us all”, declare the bishops of Belgium in a statement issued at the end of a press conference held in recent days at the archdiocesan seat of Malines to explain the position of the Belgian Catholic Church on the situation of people “who have been resident for years in the country and socially integrated”, but who are still deprived of residence permits and have long been protesting about their condition, also by occupying churches. “The bishops – says the statement – express their position on the question as leaders of the Catholic Church in full respect for the separation between Church and State. This does not prevent them from asking the politicians” to “make every effort to identify a political solution to this human drama”. Though aware that it is “a dossier far from easy to handle”, the bishops declare they cannot seek “refuge in silence, still less in indifference”. Commenting on the occupation of churches by some sans-papier, the bishops understand why they have had recourse to this means “to bring their predicament to the eyes of the public at large”. The bishops are willing to accept this situation “on condition that the local authorities are in agreement” and that no hunger strikes are organised. Reaffirming their own solidarity with the sans-papier, already expressed on the occasion of the awareness-raising event HOP (Hoop Op Papieren. Hope to obtain a residence permit) held in Antwerp in February, the bishops explain that the occupation of churches “intends to send out a strong signal and is temporary. It certainly cannot be interpreted as a form of exerting moral blackmail on politicians by the Church”. “The problem is especially a human one – the bishops insist – and appeals to the conscience of each of us. The bishops associate themselves with this appeal”, but, they explain, “they will not permit themselves to be exploited or manipulated by whatever party to this end. They intend to maintain their own freedom of expression”.
