Ecumenical dimension of intercultural migrant ministry

The Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development recently published “Pastoral Orientations on Intercultural Migrant Ministry”. In his preface, the Holy Father states that the document offers tangible ways in which to implement his invitation in “Fratelli tutti” to develop a culture of encounter embracing our refugee brothers and sisters in order to build “the Kingdom of God together in a universal spirit of fraternity”.

In the section entitled “Cooperating Towards Communion”, the document focuses on how “to foster and strengthen communion and unity in diversity by following the example of Jesus”, and in particular on “enhancing ecumenical cooperation, both in prayer and in action, starting from promoting joint pastoral planning among Christian leaders ministering in the same territory”. Citing the text “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity” published in 1992 by the Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’ and the Pontifical Council for the Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, the new document reiterates: “Such cooperation seeks to discover new advances in the search for and the implementation of a deeper unity of the human family”.

^{Photo: Pope Francis unveils in St Peter’s Square on 29 September 2019 the sculpture “Angels Unaware,” by Timothy P. Schmalz dedicated to migrants and refugees © Servizio Fotografico | Vatican Media}