Msgr. José Sánchez, bishop of Sigüenza-Guadalajara and President of the Migration Commission of Spain’s Bishops Conference (Cee) a few days ago presented “The Church in Spain and the immigrants”, a theological-pastoral reflection with practical guidelines for the pastoral care of migrants in the Country. International news agency Fides reported that the text was approved on November 22 in the course of the latest Cee Plenary Assembly. Following the evolutions of the immigration phenomenon in Spain, ten years after the previous Document on the Pastoral Care of Migrants (1994), and after the Pontifical document “Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi”, the Cee envisaged the need for new guidelines. The document is intended both as a theological reflection and as a guideline to pastoral action. It is addressed to all those people, Church institutions and organizations devoted to the care for immigrants. It is equally directed to immigrants, viewed as the main protagonists of community and society transformation. The document is divided into 6 chapters. The first gives data on the present situation of immigration, especially in Spain. The second offers a brief reflection on immigration intended as a social phenomenon, analyzing its causes and consequences. The third chapter views it as a phenomenon that calls everyone into question and that constitutes a moment of grace. The fourth chapter brings examples from the Holy Scriptures and from the Social Doctrine of the Church in the course of history. The fifth chapter highlights fundamental aspects of the Pastoral Care of Migrants and its consequences on Pastoral Care in general. Finally, the sixth chapter describes the individuals and the structures involved in the pastoral care of migrants.
