BY MAURIZIO PETTENA
I am a member of the Scalabrinian congregation. Our formation includes entering into the reality of those whom we seek to serve. In our case, we work quite explicitly with migrants and refugees.
Just as some religious are dropped off in the middle of deserts with $10 in their pockets; we are placed at difficult border crossings, expected to find our way, to truly enter into the experience of being an asylum seeker.
A radical availability, openness and personal strength of character is required to live experiences such as this. A sense of adaptability is needed – an acceptance of difficult conditions, unfamiliar languages, and less than dignified treatment.
And yet what we experience in this attempt at solidarity is nothing compared to what the 40 million refugees and internally displaced people of the world experience each day.
Over these last weeks, the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee office has been reflecting much on what the Government’s new deal with Malaysia might mean for those who seek asylum on our shores. We have arrived at what has been the sticking point for the Catholic Church on migration for many years.
Of fundamental importance in any policy dealing with forced migration is the dignity of human life. As Catholics, we believe that a commitment to respect and empower people from all nations, migration on a global scale – whether voluntary or compelled – can be successfully managed and be beneficial for all. It remains essential for Australia to hear asylum seekers when they knock at our door.
In a recent Multicultural Mass held at St Mary’s Cathedral, the Catholic Bishops of Australia saw the fruits of migration to this country. In a beautiful display of colour, faith and commitment to the Church, those who participated in this mass were communities from places as diverse as El Salvador, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and Sudan.
The communion they shared was in their celebration of the Catholic faith, and their experience of having lived a “way of the cross” of seeking asylum in this country – many of them who weren’t initially made welcome, and many of them who had suffered much in their journeys to Australia.
As the President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant persons, Archbishop Antonio Veglio reflected on his visit to Australia at that Mass, he made particular mention of the short visit he had made to Maribyrnong detention centre, and the experience of speaking with some of the detainees. It was something which impacted deeply upon him, and he again mentioned it in his address to the Bishops the following day at their Plenary Meeting.
Then, we heard the wonderful announcement last week of the newest Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Fr Vincent Van Long Nguyen. He was himself a “boat person” some 30 years ago. He became a Franciscan priest, and is now the first “refugee” Bishop in Australia.
I’m sure that he will tire soon of such a label, but it is an aspect of his story which is important for us as a Christian community.
And all of this leads us to consider the Malaysia deal. What will it mean for people? Why does Australia persist in denying people their fundamental rights? Why do we still consider ourselves to be “swamped” by boat arrivals?
Australia has one of the most successful resettlement programs in the world and it is appropriate that the number of refugees under this program be increased. Australia is better placed than other countries in the region to resettle refugees due to the economic success underpinning our Nation.
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office acknowledges the policy of sending the next 800 boat arrivals to Malaysia might be a deterrent for further boat arrivals. We cannot condone this policy; as essentially swapping human life goes against the moral teachings of the Church.
ACMRO has grave concerns for the welfare of the potential 800 candidates that may be sent to Malaysia due to the already heavy burden that Malaysia carries. While Malaysia appears willing to uphold the key aspect of the Refugee Convention to not return asylum seekers to the origin of danger; this alone does not afford asylum seekers the opportunity of a sustainable life.
The burden of irregular migration flows is one which needs to be shared more equally between countries based on their capacity to care for asylum seekers.
The negotiations between Australia and Malaysia represent a bilateral agreement and a step towards a regional framework for managing and protecting forced migrants. Any regional framework is likely to include countries that are not signatory to the Refugee Convention.
So, in that light and with that knowledge, we say at this point that it is not appropriate then, to send people to any place where their dignity may be eroded any more than it has been in the journey thus far.
Father Maurizio Pettena CS is the Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office. Earlier this year he was appointed to the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees.
Image: Flickr.
Disclaimer: CathBlog is an extension of CathNews story feedback. It is intended to promote discussion and debate among the subscribers to CathNews and the readers of the website. The opinions expressed in CathBlog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the members of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference or of Church Resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment