Council on Migration, Tourism and Pilgrimages of the Polish Bishops' Conference: Poland to face serious and pressing migration challenges

The Council members emphasise that Poland faces significant and pressing migration challenges. "The arrival of war refugees from Ukraine or economic migrants from various regions of the world as well as the resolution of the humanitarian crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border, which is a death trap for some newcomers seeking a decent life, are definitely among the most urgent questions to be addressed on a priority basis at the moment," points out the communiqué.

"May we, while seeking solutions to the intricate problems of migration, be guided above all by openness, respect towards migrants and refugees, and the common good in the broadest sense of the term. This implies a readiness to transcend a merely national perspective and at the same time obliges newcomers to respect our culture, religion, law, and security rules," emphasises the document.

"Poland's extensive migration experience, its Christian heritage, and the extraordinary, spontaneous, and highly commendable commitment of Poles to help war refugees from Ukraine should predispose us in particular to promote ideals of wise hospitality and solidarity, which are the foundations of the Christian faith," indicate the Council members. They add that "the ways of practising these ideals do not need to be made the subject of referenda, but of prudent action and social dialogue, taking into account the future social opportunities and consequences."

At the same time, they remind us that in the community of the Church, "the reception of refugees and migrants, their protection, the creation of opportunities for their development, and their social integration through pastoral structures, are important tasks of parish ministry." "The Church must strive to be present among and accompany the newcomers," points out the communiqué. "This means not only charitable assistance and pastoral care for Catholics who come to us, but also hospitality and openness towards representatives of other denominations and faiths. In the history of the Church, this has always been an opportunity to preach the Gospel to strangers, not only in word, but above all in deed," add the authors of the document.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The complete text of the communiqué follows:

Communiqué
of the Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for Migration, Tourism and Pilgrimages
on the debate on migrants and refugees

For a considerable time now, we have observed an increased presence of the migration issue in the public debate. We call on all the participants of this debate, i.e. politicians, publicists, and the media, to present the situation of refugees and migrants in Poland and in the European Union in a reliable and responsible way, in conformity with facts and free of ideology. We firmly caution against their instrumental use for political games and the formation of xenophobic attitudes. Such actions are incompatible with Christian teaching. The anti-refugee or anti-immigrant narratives both shape social attitudes and affect the lives of particular individuals. They are also destructive to the attempts to responsibly seek adequate responses together and in addition strip the refugee and the migrant of their human dignity.

Poland is faced with significant and pressing migration challenges. Demographic trends and the rules of the economy have already prompted state institutions to welcome foreign jobseekers. This requires prudent reflection which is founded on facts and scientific knowledge, not on emotions fuelled by media and political agendas. The arrival of war refugees from Ukraine or economic migrants from various regions of the world as well as the resolution of the humanitarian crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border, which is a death trap for some newcomers seeking a decent life, are definitely among the most urgent questions to be addressed on a priority basis at the moment. However, they require the cooperation of all levels of government, academia, non-governmental organisations, and society. We all need to better understand migration mechanisms and prepare for living in a culturally diverse world, not least in order to avoid the associated, potential risks.

At the European level, it is necessary to develop fair solidarity projects that distribute evenly the burden and costs of assisting people who have already received asylum or international protection status. Controlled migration processes provide a sense of security, in contrast to chaotic migration, often coordinated by gangs of smugglers, who deceive and offer false hopes to people seeking decent living conditions. Poland's extensive migration experience, its Christian heritage, and the extraordinary, spontaneous, and highly commendable commitment of Poles to help war refugees from Ukraine should predispose us in particular to promote ideals of wise hospitality and solidarity, which are the foundations of the Christian faith. the ways of practising these ideals do not need to be made the subject of referenda, but of prudent action and social dialogue, taking into account the future social opportunities and consequences.

May we, while seeking solutions to the intricate problems of migration, be guided above all by openness, respect towards migrants and refugees and the common good in the broadest sense of the term. This implies a readiness to transcend a merely national perspective and at the same time obliges newcomers to respect our culture, religion, law, and security rules. The policy of the state towards foreign nationals should likewise clearly define and consistently follow these rules to avoid disillusionments and dangers in the future.

We recall the inalienable right of everyone to migrate and seek a better place to live. This idea is present in the universal teaching of the Church. Generations of Poles have benefited from it over the centuries. One must not succumb to the temptation to instil fear, hostility, or aversion towards newcomers in the name of falsely understood patriotism or political calculations, especially because of their status, religion or origin. "The unregulated legal situation of the migrant does not authorise the diminution of his or her dignity, as he or she has inalienable rights which must not be violated or ignored," cautioned St. John Paul II. It is clearly the duty of the relevant institutions to prevent the potential dangers arising from the illegal crossing of national borders. However, it is not possible to stigmatise newcomers by making hurtful generalisations such as "every refugee or immigrant is a potential terrorist."

The election campaign period tends to intensify political emotions and public debate. We appeal to politicians of all backgrounds to ensure that the natural differences of opinion and concern for the well-being of the homeland do not lead to behaviour which Pope Francis diagnosed in the encyclical Fratelli Tutti: “The best way to dominate and gain control over people is to spread despair and discouragement, even under the guise of defending certain values. Today, in many countries, hyperbole, extremism, and polarization have become political tools.” Let the encounter with the newcomer be an opportunity for us as a host society to bridge internal divides and build bridges by seeking the common good and the best possible models of social integration.

In Poland, attempts should be made to work out answers to new yet acutely present challenges, such as: the principles of migration policy, protection of labour rights of labour migrants, introduction of real integration mechanisms (also to avoid the phenomena of ghettoization), inclusion of all children of migrants in the education system, financing programmes for learning the Polish language, and providing dignified social assistance to persons residing in Poland in proceedings for international protection.

In the community of the Church, we are reminded that welcoming refugees and migrants, protecting them, creating opportunities for their development and social integration through pastoral structures, are essential tasks of parish ministry. This is a call to a challenging but blessed implementation of the words of the Saviour Jesus Christ, removed from utopian visions: “For I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35). May none of us be indifferent to the conditions in which thousands of migrants live. The hospitality offered should stem from a concern to be faithful to God, to listen to His voice, and to recognise Him in the people around us. The Church must strive to be present among newcomers and accompany them. This means not only charitable assistance and pastoral care for Catholics who come to us, but also hospitality and openness towards representatives of other denominations and faiths. In the history of the Church, this has always been an opportunity to preach the Gospel to strangers, not only in word, but above all in deed.

Warsaw, 11 July 2023

Bishop Krzysztof Zadarko
Chairman of the Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference for Migration, Tourism and Pilgrimages

Translation: M. Turski / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference