We need to have a heart that is open to welcome, a heart that is ready to listen deeply, and a heart that is willing to step into the shoes of the other so to understand the other more deeply, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has said.
Delivering the homily for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass held at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 27 September, Bishop Don, in considering the plight of migrants and refugees, posed the question – who is my neighbour and what do they need from me?
“The thing they are basically asking from us is to be recognised, to be drawn a little closer to us in friendship, and, in that way, to find a place where they will be safe, a place where they will be accepted, a place in which they can flourish,” he suggested.
Referring to the theme of the day as chosen by Pope Leo XIV – Even Just One of These Children (Matthew 18:10), Bishop Don said the vulnerability of young people was particularly evident in situations where they are forced to leave their homeland and/or become separated from their families.
In this way, he said, we are “called in a very special way by Christ to welcome the newcomer.”
This welcome, he continued, was also at the heart of the teachings from Pope Francis who had suggested there were three foundational principles for truly embracing migrants and refugees.
While the first was to welcome others, Bishop Don revealed Pope Francis said a simple welcome was not enough as newcomers should also be “received.”
“The next point he made was that we need to learn to listen in order to know the person who has been put into our space as our neighbour – to understand their real needs,” he continued.
The third point he said was to “engage and acknowledge the presence of the newcomer among us…to understand their suffering.”
“This is an attitude that we need, not just with the newcomer, but with everyone else too,” he suggested. “…to possess a heart that is full of love and is prepared to do what is right; a heart that is prepared to respond to that call of the Lord to be a neighbour.”
That sentiment was echoed by the National Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Fr Khalid Marogi who, in reflecting on the world day, said it reminds us that welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees is not only a social responsibility but also a reflection of the Gospel call to love our neighbour and to foster social cohesion, mutual understanding and solidarity.
“In his message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV highlights the inherent dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable,” he continued.
“He calls upon governments, communities and individuals to ensure that migrant and refugee children are protected from exploitation, discrimination and exclusion.
“The Holy Father reminds us that behind every statistic is a human story, a family seeking safety, opportunity and hope for a better future.”
Fr Khalid said the day encouraged Catholics and all people of goodwill to move beyond political debates and focus on the human faces behind migration.
“By recognising the dignity of every person, especially children and appreciating the richness migrants bring to our communities, we can foster more positive conversations and strengthen social cohesion,” he suggested.
Here in Australia, Fr Khalid said the life of the Catholic Church was deeply connected to ourmigration story.
Referring to the 1950 pastoral letter Under the Southern Cross, he said migration had “enriched Australian society through faith, culture, skills and community spirit.”