A “vademecum” or handbook of the Church of Madrid on the pastoral care of immigrants, signed by Cardinal Antonio M. Rouco Varela, archbishop of the city, has been published as part of a series of pastoral guides on various themes. Subdivided into twelve chapters, it comprises a “long series” of specific proposals: “not because each pastoral worker should feel himself personally committed to implementing all of them explains the cardinal in his preface , but to offer groups and movements, and especially parishes, the chance to better define ‘pastoral priorities’, on the basis of the specific situation they each face in their own environment”. The document in fact offers a panoramic view of the real situation of immigration and spells out the Church’s fundamental commitment to welcoming immigrants, through a specific pastoral plan integrated in ordinary pastoral care and in the special chaplaincies for migrants. The handbook also underlines the Church’s responsibility for raising the awareness of public opinion. public institutions, and Christian communities on the problem. A separate chapter is devoted to the role and tasks of the “diocesan delegation” for the pastoral care of immigrants.
