When “being close” ” “becomes a political category

“Building bridges”: this expression is not new, and sometimes it’s even abused, although it appears effective, especially when speaking of migrants, refugees, individuals and entire populations fleeing from desperation, hunger and war. And in turn it creates a convergence, a “bridge” between different voices in Europe, perhaps a harmony within the growing cacophony against foreigners, against migrants, present throughout the public opinion of the European continent and fuelled by complacent media and by politicians who want to profit from positions of power on the skin of the refugees themselves. The fact that the migration phenomenon is a “problem” is a blatant truth. It causes suffering, hardships and entails financial costs. It forces diverse peoples, cultures and religions to confront each other. And if the landings of migrants occur on the shores of a Europe which is already in crisis, in the midst of plummeting economy and backwards identities, then the problem is bound to grow worse. Having said this, there are also those who don’t give up. The European Council (summit of 28 heads of Government and State of EU governments) scheduled in Brussels June 25-26, had on the agenda – in addition to the tragic situation of Greece and the theme of security – the question of migrations, in the attempt of meeting the needs of those Mediterranean countries that are most exposed to mass migration flows, to organize an appropriate and legitimate border protection and also to imagine (we’re still at still state) a future common migration policy. A debate between European leaders that developed amidst thrusts to “solidarity” and the “noes” decided by various governments which – amidst walls, barbed wire and opt-out clauses – are closing the doors to all those seeking help and dignity. Moreover, on the even of the summit a case in point was made by the vice-president of the EU Commission Frans Timmermans in his speech at the plenary meeting of the European Parliament on June 24: “The commitment of the European Council should be to build bridges”. “Migration is the area in which we must show European solidarity,” Timmermans underlined, welcomed by the applause of a large part of the hemicycle and the frowns of the eurosceptic group. For Timmermans we should be aware that “sooner or later the migration problem will involve everyone” and therefore “the tears we shed for every tragedy in the Mediterranean are not enough. We should extend a helping hand to these unhappy persons who flee from their home countries”. The Dutch politician warned: “When speaking of refugees we cannot speak of ‘quotas’, because it’s a question of the respect of human dignity”. He added: “We should help the most exposed Countries. But we also be firm towards those who have no right to asylum. In these cases we will have to proceed with repatriations”. Solidarity and responsibility should go hand in hand, also in the framework of policies that envisage legal migration guidelines. This position reflects the words conveyed in recent months and on many occasions by Pope Francis, by many bishops and bishops’ conferences, by Caritas and Catholic NGOs, by CCEE and COMECE. It was repeated with countless emphases last week in Prague, where had gathered the general secretaries of the European Bishops Conferences. The issue is tabled for debate during the meeting in Vilnius (Lithuania – June 29-July 2), where CCEE promoted a meeting on “Migrants and refugees: beyond the emergency,” to the presence of the bishops in charge of the pastoral care of migrants of the bishops’ conferences of Europe. To this regard A tale Mons. Duarte da Cunha, CCEE Secretary General, said: in Prague it cleared emerged that the entire Church in the continent is involved in addressing the challenges linked to the present phenomenon of migration towards Europe”. For this reason “all involved parties – civil society, Church and public authorities are called to act in synergy”. For Msgr Da Cunha “we cannot pretend that nothing is happening; we cannot look away from that wounded humanity that asks for a helping hand. The Church, alongside with many other non-governmental organization is involved in providing initial aid, mindful of the fact that the human person, and human dignity, is the first that must be respected and protected, but that this involved also a commitment to build bridges” between those arriving and those living in the various European countries. We cannot fail to see the image of the Good Samaritan in the background, that helps and comforts those in need, without counting the dues, regardless of the costs. Indeed, the EU is not an evangelical subject. But if the good of Europe coincides with the good of humanity, and viceversa, in some cases “being close” can become a reasonable, and farsighted political category.