It is important to note at the outset that the Church's interaction with civil society ever since the collapse of the Roman Empire is a relationship and process of responsibility-sharing.  While initially this involved the establishment of monasteries, hospitals, schools and universities over the centuries in a host of countries, the Church was called upon to expand its humanitarian services to the extent that in the "New World" of the Americas, it became the largest private social service provider—a remarkable achievement by any standard.

As we all know, it was not always smooth sailing as subsequent persecutions and historical challenges bear witness.  And so, one must ask, in the context of this history and current challenges, what is the most effective means for the Church to continue and intensify its cooperation with civil institutions for the benefit of all mankind, and specifically of migrants and refugees?

... This embracing vision of engagement is seen most recently in His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in Veritate that elaborates further the Church's teaching on integral human development in the political arena—teaching, that is, as we know, so profoundly interrelated with the phenomenon of migration.

For the right of people to enjoy the fruits of their labours and remain in the land of their birth is often eroded and superseded when, due to lack of opportunities of economic, social, cultural and human dimensions at home, they must seek opportunity in other lands.

Indeed, forty-one years after Populorum Progressio, Pope Benedict reminds us how important work in the political arena is, and how every responsibility spelled out by social doctrine is derived from charity.  He notes that every Christian is invited to practice charity within the polis, or, in other words, act within the political field.

... ICMC is a specific institutional link between the Holy See and the civil institutions where migration issues are concerned, reporting both to the Second Section of the Secretariat of State and to this Pontifical Council. ICMC serves as a dynamic link in developing expertise to serve both the Church and civil institutions.

As Pope Pius and his Pro Secretary of State, the future Pope Paul VI intended, and as Pope Benedict has again called for, ICMC participates in the Church's broad pastoral engagement through political interaction that is grounded in Catholic social doctrine: it asserts the profound dignity of each human being and his or her labour, regardless of his or her migratory status; it asserts the inalienability of the human rights of migrants, refugees and trafficked persons, as well as their reciprocal duties; it asserts the central role and value of family unity; and it asserts the principals of solidarity and the common good in all contexts of displacement and migration.

To read President John Klink's statement in its entirety, please see the pdf file below.

Cooperation between the Church and civil institutons for the well-being of migrants, refugees and trafficked persons (449.94 KB)