Discussion on agricultural summit centering around people movement in Central America and the Caribbean region
In San Rafael de La UniΓ³n, Costa Rica, the 12th Regional Meeting of Bishops and Pastoral Agents for Human Mobility of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean took place from August 17 to 22, 20XX. The gathering brought together bishops, pastoral agents, and representatives from various countries in these regions, including the Catholic Church and related humanitarian organizations.
Cardinal Fabio Baggio CS, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, and Cardinal Γlvaro Ramazzini, President of Red CLAMOR, were among the attendees.
The meeting concluded with a statement expressing the Catholic Church's closeness to migrants, urging authorities to work for the common good, and respect the rights of all people, especially the most vulnerable. The Church values the great effort migrants make and aims to learn from their example and support them.
The statement reminds authorities to work with decision and transparency for more just societies, quoting Jesus' words: 'I was a stranger, and you welcomed me' (Mt 25, 35). Migrants face dangers and obstacles such as the activity of organized crime and anti-migratory policies.
The bishops express understanding, valuing, and a commitment to continue walking with migrants and their families. They encourage these communities to continue welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrant brothers and sisters. The Church views these communities as the tenderness of God.
The statement also urges authorities to serve the people, work for the common good, and continue in their mission. With an authentic and generous commitment, it is possible to build a better world, the statement promises. The Catholic Church appreciates the efforts of local churches committed to human mobility pastoral, calling them 'good Samaritans'.
The statement does not repeat earlier facts about the meeting's location, its conclusion, or the expressed closeness to migrants and urging for their protection. It also does not repeat earlier facts about the gratitude to various communities in the region that are linked to migration, nor the encouragement for these communities to continue welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrant brothers and sisters.
