Polish Bishops focused their plenary assembly on the ongoing migrant crisis at the borfer with Belarus. They reiterated that protecting borders is not in conflict with helping the needy .
By Lisa Zengarini
As the migrant crisis at the Belarus border with Poland continues to unfold, Polish bishops have reiterated, together with Caritas Poland, that there is no contradiction between supporting the defense of the national borders and helping migrants in need. The point was made in a press release issued on Friday at the closing of their plenary assembly in Jasna Góra, part of which was focused on the crisis.
Victims of ruthless political actions
Recalling that “in many cases migrants are victims of ruthless political actions and of the greed of criminal organizations who live on human trafficking “, the prelates, first of all thank, the Polish border police “who carry out their duty of defending the Polish borders” to guarantee the security of the citizens of Poland.
Helping in the spirit of the Gospel
The communiqué also expresses the bishops’ gratitude to the residents,and parishes in the border areas and to Caritas Poland “for the humanitarian relief offered to people who have found themselves in life-threatening situations in the Polish territory “. Furthermore, they call on the authorities to look out for strangers in need and to provide them relief “in the spirit of the Gospel”.saying that there is “no conflict between the duty to defend national borders and support for those who are victims of this difficult situation”.
Other topics of discussion
During the assembly the Polish also discussed their recent ad limina visit to Rome, from 4-29 October and sent a letter to Pope Francis thank ing him for making them feel “welcome as sons and brothers” and “like family in the heart of the Church”.
The Synod
They also discussed the recently inaugurated 2021-2023 Synod and invited “all the faithful, the people have moved away from the Church from the Church, who feel wounded and marginalized as well as those who are not part of the Catholic community”, to join the process.
Family issues
Another topic during the session was the family. Ahead of the the 10th World Meeting of Families scheduled in Rome from 22 to 26 June 2022 bishops encouraged all Church members to engage in discussions on the problems of families in Poland. They also referred the COVI-19 pandemic calling on the faithful to pray for its end during Advent. The press release finally refers to the beatification of the Servant of God Farher Jan Macha (1914-1942), who was murdered by the Nazi during World War II. The celebration is taking place today in Katowice and is presided by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
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