It’s not the solution

On August 24 French Immigration minister Eric Besson announced the repatriation of 635 Roma immigrants to Romania and Bulgaria on the grounds of the new safety policy adopted in July by president Sarkozy, and added that the number is bound to raise to 950 by the end of August. Approximately 15 thousand Romani live in France. They come from Eastern Europe, from Romania in particular. These are the first figures on the “consequences” of France’s Roma expulsion which triggered a hot debate in the Country, with interventions by the French Catholic Church. On Sunday August 22, at the Angelus prayer His Holiness – referring to the day’s liturgy – spoke of the importance of granting hospitality to the stranger. His words had a strong impact on “The Country of laicity”, and sparked off a debate, which also questioned the legitimacy of the Church’s statements on political issues. The words of the Pope. His Holiness said it is an invitation to “universal fraternity”, to the reception of people “from all nations and languages” and called to the acceptance of “legitimate human differences”. Speaking in French during the recitation of the Angelus in the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo before 4 thousand faithful, Benedict XVI said that all men and women “are called to salvation”, which is “an invitation to know how to accept legitimate human diversity”, just like “Jesus came to bring men together from all nations and languages.” “Dear parents – the Pope continued in French – may you educate your children to universal fraternity”.Legitimate position. “It’s normal that the Church sides with the more fragile populations”, said Msgr. Hippolyte Simon, vice-president of the French Bishops’ Conference in response to those living in “the Coutry of laicity” who are wondering whether it is legitimate for the Church to intervene in the public debate, and to President Sarkozy’s policy regarding the Roma people in particular. The recent statements – Msgr. Simon explained – refer “to the social doctrine of the Church and to the Gospel which says ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me'” and thus the Church “is implementing her role when she attracts the authorities’ attention on the need to welcome and protect those living in a State marked by severe precariousness”. “Let it be clear, – the bishop added – the Church does not take over the public authorities’ role when she echoes the stances of those whose voice is not heard. Thus there can be no confusion of roles, only the will of voicing the claims of the unheard”. As for the concern that a number of Catholic may drift away the bishop replied: “Human dignity cannot divide”. Pacifying the atmosphere of the political debate. Cardinal Andrè Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris and president of the French Bishops’ Conference, addressed the question from the microphones of French network “Europe1”, denouncing the “unhealthy climate” lingering across the Country: a kind of “verbal escalation between the different positions”; a real and true “opposition between those who side with security reasons and those whose approach is marked by a higher degree of morality”. “I believe that in a civil and pacified society this opposition must progress in peace and without coups de main”. The archbishop assured there is no rupture between France’s Catholic world and its government. The Church simply indicated “the major orientations of Christian morals, that consist in a deeply human ethical code”, which calls Europe “to greater solidarity” towards people “whose arrival is motivated by need”. It is an “exhortation that involves everyone”, the archbishop continued, “and which is the distinctive trait of the hope in the fact that man is capable of overcoming his egotism”. A voice from Romania. A cry of alarm from Romania was launched by the bishop of Iasi, Msgr. Petru Gherghel, responsible for the pastoral care of migrants of the Romanian Bishops’ Conference. “The Roma’s deportation is not the solution”, he said. “The risk is failing to acknowledge citizenship to the Roma that entails their marginalization and deportation from one country to the next”. The Romanian bishops’ declaration was released after the return to Romania of the first Roma deported from France. In a Note issued by the diocese of Iasi Msgr. Gherghel recalls that the problems linked to migration are everyone’s problems and invites the authorities to implement programs that will promote the Roma’s integration. “Reception must involve everyone, not only the Catholics”, the bishops said recalling the Pope’s recent words. Msgr. Gherghel highlighted the pastoral initiatives carried out by Caritas and by the different associations to promote human and Christian solidarity. “In Church and in society everyone must have his own place. Each man enjoys equal dignity and rights and nobody can be excluded”, the bishop concluded.