As a member of the “As Born Among Us” Campaign, the Alliance for the Protection of Children participated in the I meeting of churches and Christian organizations that work in favor of migrants in the Northern Triangle, Mexico and the USA. We share the Pastoral Letter prepared in the framework of the meeting:
PASTORAL LETTER
From April 14 to 16, 2021, 144 people from 18 countries met at the 1st Meeting of churches and Christian organizations that work in favor of migrants in the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras), Mexico and USA. The event was convened by the Campaign "As Born Among Us", a regional movement that involves 65 entities (churches, ministries, NGOs and organizations) committed to the dignity of people in human mobility and the defense of their rights, in order to to reject xenophobia and work for their comprehensive well-being.
The three axes that inspired the forum were to publicize good practices with a focus on migration in this region of the continent, to promote a space for biblical theological reflection on this issue, and to challenge joint accompaniment and advocacy actions. In light of the reality and inputs considered, we pronounce ourselves in the following terms:
• We maintain that the migratory flow that occurs in the Northern Triangle, Mexico and the USA is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, with a long historical background, which has recently been exacerbated by the pandemic and various natural phenomena of great impact.
• We affirm that, increasingly, the departure of people on the move from our towns is typically forced by the inability of governments to guarantee conditions for a dignified life for their citizens, the failure of economic and political models and the rise of violence. in its various manifestations.
• We ratify that migration is an instinct of life that bids for shelter, a human right and, most of the time, even an obligation.
• We reject, therefore, the violent and repressive demonstrations carried out against people who seek life opportunities for themselves and their families. We believe that the use of violence will not prevent life from continuing to seek to overcome, much less translate into structural and sustainable solutions.
• We appeal to governments to act with a focus attached to human rights and international and regional standards in terms of guarantees for people on the move. We believe that the path is to opt for the humanitarian and regionally agreed option.
• We extend all our solidarity with the migrants of our peoples, human beings with faces and concrete circumstances: girls and boys, adolescents, youth, women, men, older adults, people with disabilities, created in the image and likeness of God, who possess dignity and deserve respectful treatment.
• We invite communities based on faith to intensify their prayer for migrants, learn about their realities, become aware of the principles of the Gospel and the model of Jesus, train to know how, in an informed and responsible way , accompany, assist, integrate and advocate for them.
• We challenge cooperation and joint action. The complexity of the moment summons us, beyond our legitimate ideological and theological differences, to put life at the center of our agendas and priorities. Today we have the opportunity to join passions, vocations, experiences, processes and resources in favor of migrants.
• Through the Word of God, we believe that the creator and redeemer God, who has revealed himself to us in Jesus, is a migrant God, who sees the pain of the vulnerable on the road, hears their cries and descends to deliver them; not only that, it summons us, to join him, and among us, in order to propose models of treatment that are more humane, fair and supportive.
• We call on multilateral bodies, from the region and the world, to assume their historical role with courage and coherence in the face of what happens to people on the move in the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras), Mexico and USA.
In accordance with the metaphors that inspired us, having leaned out the window of reality, and having done so within the framework of the gospel and the example of Jesus, we took on the challenge of identifying ourselves with the sandals of migrant people, emulate the compassionate sandals of Jesus and put on our sandals of commitment and hope.
God of life and paths, we come from you, and after you we want to continue. Grant us life and courage to, in your name, treat and have each migrant treated as one born among us! In your name, Amen!
Friday April 16, 2021
Promoter organizations:
More information at https://www.comonacidoentrenosotros.org