OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“We are called to renew our commitment to building a future that conforms ever more fully to God’s plan of a world in which everyone can live in peace and dignity … If we want to cooperate with our heavenly Father in building the future, let us do so together with our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees.” (Pope Francis, “Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022”)
In May, with multiple conflicts taking place today around the world, Pope Francis offered hope to displaced people forced to be on the move through his annual message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR).
This year’s WDMR theme is building a better future together with migrants and refugees: “In the light of what we have learned in the tribulations of recent times … No one must be excluded. God’s plan is essentially inclusive and gives priority to those living on the existential peripheries. Among them are many migrants and refugees, displaced persons, and victims of trafficking. The Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants.”
Our Holy Father believes that building this kind of inclusive future means recognizing the talents of every individual and finding ways to share those gifts with our communities: “Indeed, history teaches us that the contribution of migrants and refugees has been fundamental to the social and economic growth of our societies. … Their work, their youth, their enthusiasm, and their willingness to sacrifice enrich the communities that receive them.”
Pope Francis says the contributions of migrants and refugees could be even more optimized through meaningful programs and initiatives. “Enormous potential exists, ready to be harnessed, if only it is given a chance.”
The pope also points out that migrants and refugees can energize parish life in local Catholic churches by bringing more color and dimension to celebrations. “The presence of migrants and refugees represents a great challenge, but at the same time an immense opportunity for the cultural and spiritual growth of everyone. Thanks to them, we have the chance to know better our world and its beautiful diversity. We can grow in our common humanity and build together an even greater sense of togetherness.
“Openness to one another creates spaces of fruitful exchange between different visions and traditions and opens minds to new horizons. It also leads to a discovery of the richness present in other religions and forms of spirituality unfamiliar to us, and this helps us to deepen our own convictions.”
Here in Hawaii, programs for and with migrants and refugees have proven to be vital resources for many communities. For example, the diocesan Office for Social Ministry has been working with the University of Hawaii Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic to collaborate with faith-based communities, including several Catholic parishes.
On the Big Island, the UH Law Clinic is working with St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Kona to protect local migrant families fleeing violence in Central America. UH immigration law students are helping a Guatemalan mother and her two children and two Honduran families with children who had to flee gang violence in their home countries.
UH Law Clinic
On Oahu, the UH Law Clinic also provides support for migrants and refugees fleeing violence in other parts of the world. Current cases involve securing temporary protected status for two Ukrainian families, a woman migrant from Myanmar (Burma) and several migrants from Afghanistan. One of the Afghan migrants is getting legal help to secure refugee status for a family member who started a school for girls in Kabul that the Taliban shut down.
The UH Law Clinic also provides legal services for migrants from the Philippines, Japan, Caribbean and Africa seeking green cards, including special help for kupuna migrants who need special help in renewing their U.S. resident green card status. The UH Law Clinic has worked with UNITE Local 5 to help U.S. resident green card holders apply for and secure U.S. citizenship through special community workshops. St. Joseph Parish in Waipahu and St. Theresa Co-Cathedral Parish in Kalihi have hosted these events.
The UH Law Clinic also continues to help dozens of young DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students in Hawaii stay in the U.S. and pursue U.S. citizenship. For more information on the University of Hawaii Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, please visit their website immigrationclinic.law.hawaii.edu
For more on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022, including inspiring videos and prayers, please go to migrants-refugees.va where in coming months there will be more WDMR 2022 materials and messages from migrants and refugees from around the world, including the United States, which build on the following words from the message of Pope Francis, “If we want to cooperate with our heavenly Father in building the future, let us do so together with our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees. Let us build the future today! For the future begins today and it begins with each of us. We cannot leave to future generations the burden of responsibility for decisions that need to be made now, so that God’s plan for the world may be realized and his Kingdom of justice, fraternity, and peace may come.”
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
Prayer
from Pope Francis Message for World Day of Migrants & Refugees 2022
Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light might shine, where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice, so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish, and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom, together with migrants and refugees and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is to live together as brothers and sisters.
Amen.
