With the upcoming observance of the National Migrants Sunday on Sept. 25, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has appealed to church people and the laity to help make society more inclusive.
Bishop Narciso Abellana of the CBCP Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People said that “God’s inclusive love” enjoins people to regard migrants and refugees as “co-builders and co-citizens." “They are to be regarded not as competitors and displacers, but as contributors to the growth of their adoptive countries because of the work they do,” CBCP News quoted the prelate's message for the 36th NMS.
“This inclusivity may push us to a world without limits — no more theirs and ours, them and us; no more strangers, but only brothers and sisters under one shepherd,” Abellana added.
The NMS celebration on Sept. 25 also falls on the Vatican’s 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR).
Pope Francis has chosen the theme, “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees”, in order to highlight the contribution of migrants and refugees.