President of the Polish Episcopate Appeals for Humanitarian Aid for Migrants

The President of the Episcopate recalled the Christians’ tasks in relation to migrants and refugees, i.e., medical and humanitarian assistance as well as seeking solutions for the common good. “Sensitivity to the fate of people arriving in our country, along with medical and humanitarian assistance to migrants, should become a priority of action for both state and non-governmental institutions, including churches and religious communities,” he wrote, adding that humanitarian sensitivity is a manifestation of our humanity.

He stressed that the authorities have the duty of detecting potential threats from people crossing the country's borders, but one cannot stigmatize newcomers by making harmful generalizations.

In his message, the President of the Bishops’ Conference expressed his gratitude to all who serve to help those in need. He emphasized that “the Catholic Church in Poland declares its readiness to join in the search for the best solutions, which—within the framework of the legal order—will serve the common good widely understood.”

Archbishop Gądecki appealed for the permission to launch humanitarian corridors, which Caritas Polska has declared its readiness to coordinate since 2016. He also proposed “the solution of fully controlled relocation of refugees, based on their independent decision in choosing their country of destination.” “Precisely controlled migration processes give a sense of security, in contrast with chaotic migration, at the hands of gangs of smugglers, who inhumanly delude people promising to get them to the dream paradise in Europe,” says the appeal.

Thanking for the help shown to Afghans a few weeks ago, Archbishop Gądecki called all people of good will to “treat service and assistance to foreigners coming to Poland as an opportunity to practice the love of neighbor, which is the cornerstone of our faith.” “Each of us can and should become a promoter of interpersonal solidarity in his or her environment,” wrote the Episcopate’s President. He also encouraged prayer for migrants and refugees as well as a spirit of Christian brotherhood.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

We are publishing the full text of the appeal:

APPEAL
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE
ARCHBISHOP STANISŁAW GĄDECKI
FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANTS

In view of the events on the Polish border in past weeks, the recently celebrated 107^th World Day of Migrants and Refugees gives me an opportune occasion to recall once again the Christians’ responsibility for strangers and to seek solutions that serve the common good. As Christians, we must be convinced that The right and duty to defend the state borders can be reconciled with bringing help to people who find themselves in dramatic situations of “no-return” as hostages to the geopolitical games of certain politicians.

1. Humanitarian aid

The Catholic Church cannot stop recalling that the words of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35), remain valid at all times and in all historical circumstances. Sensitivity to the fate of people arriving in our country, along with medical and humanitarian assistance to migrants, should become a priority of action for both state and non-governmental institutions, including churches and religious communities. The inalienable dignity of every human being, regardless of his or her status, origin or religion, and the right to fraternal love urge us to help them. Humanitarian sensitivity is in fact a manifestation of our humanity.

Pope Francis reminds us that "migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more" (Message for World Migrant and Refugee Day, 2014). Respecting state and international legislation, we are obliged to give them a response to this desire.

While the authorities have the duty of detecting potential threats from people crossing the country's borders, but one cannot stigmatize newcomers by making harmful generalizations that make 2every refugee is a potential terrorist.”

2. Finding solutions

I express my gratitude to Caritas Poland, the state services, the Border Guard, the Polish Army, local communities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals who—to the best of their abilities and strength—are helping people in need. A matter of this magnitude requires community-wide mobilization and solidarity. All assistance given to people in need is a precious testimony of brotherhood and solidarity.

The Catholic Church in Poland declares its readiness to join in the search for the best solutions, which—within the framework of the legal order—will serve the common good widely understood. Therefore, I would like to appeal for consent to launch humanitarian corridors, which Caritas Poland has declared its readiness to coordinate since 2016. This mechanism, which has already been tested in other countries, makes it possible to provide concrete help to the neediest victims of wars and persecutions in a safe and fully controlled way.

Similarly, the solution of fully controlled relocation of refugees, based on their independent decision in choosing their country of destination, is a safe form of bringing rescue to our sisters and brothers. Precisely controlled migration processes give a sense of security, in contrast with chaotic migration, at the hands of gangs of smugglers, who inhumanly delude people promising to get them to the dream paradise in Europe.

While thanking for the help given to Afghans a few weeks ago, today I appeal to all people of good will to treat service and assistance to foreigners coming to Poland as an opportunity to practice the love of neighbor, which is the cornerstone of our faith. Each of us can and should become a promoter of interpersonal solidarity in his or her environment. I, therefore, ask everyone to pray for refugees and migrants, but also for ourselves, so that we may know how to respond wisely, in a spirit of Christian brotherhood, to this increasingly demanding challenge. “O Lord, make us instruments of your peace...” (Franciscan Prayer)

+ Stanisław Gądecki
Archbishop Metropolitan of Poznań
President of the Polish Bishops' Conference

Translation from Polish original: Sr. P. Nau / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference