Pilgrimage
A “brochure about solidarity with refugees and foreigners in the Netherlands” was given to Pope Francis this morning by the cardinal of Utrecht, Willem Eijk, on behalf of the entire Dutch Church. Seventy-two pages to tell what the Dutch Catholics, often in partnership with other people “of good will”, did in the year of Mercy. “It is important for Christians not to give up and not to build a fencing in their hearts, not even when the high number of refugees leads to anxiety or discouragement”, the bishop of Rotterdam and president of the Bishops Conference, mgr. Hans Van den Hende, writes in the foreword. Diocese by diocese, the brochure explains the current initiatives: from housing to meals, from fund raising to sports or women’s activities, from language courses to support to people looking for a job, or assistance to go back home: “The book does not want to be a showcase of mercy, but to provide evidence and encouragement”, the bishop writes. Sometimes they are more organised associations, sometimes they are occasional initiatives or it is volunteer parishioners, as in Frederiksoord, who teach languages, give refugees their bicycles, work to keep social contacts with them, by involving them in the “special activities” organised by the parish. The brochure will be sent to all communities, so that it can be a source of inspiration and encouragement to keep on working.
