Christians, can we be silent? On June 17, the European Parliament approved a regulation to pave the way for “return hubs”: centers located outside European territory where migrants whose right to asylum has been rejected would be sent, to countries with which they sometimes have no connection, and without clear guarantees on respect for their rights.
Our faith does not dictate to us a party, a vote. Defending migration regulation is a legitimate democratic option. The same cannot be said of this project to deny certain human beings their dignity.
European bishops have already expressed their concern on this subject. Pope Francis deduced from the Gospel a model of welcome: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. The EU decision authorizes the opposite logic: push back, outsource, expose to arbitrariness, and turn a blind eye.
Toughened reception conditions
What dignity for families sent to detention camps, to countries they do not know, whose language they do not speak, and which are not safe from regime changes?
How can we ensure that their rights will be guaranteed there, when we have so much difficulty ensuring them in the Administrative Retention Centers here? After having had to flee their country, experienced the violence of exile, and seen their dream of asylum collapse, is this the fate we want to reserve for them?
Yes, pluralism belongs to the essence of democracy. But also respect for the human person. And for us Christians, this one is non-negotiable. There are lines that should not be crossed. Whether we talk about outsourcing or deportation, the reality of our resignation remains. History will judge us: “What have you done with your brother? »
Will we be among those who let it happen? It is not our so-called laxity in the face of the migratory influx that history will reproach us for.
Denying dignity to other humans
The societies that woke up one morning, ashamed, wondering how they got there, were precisely those that had radically denied other humans their dignity. They subsequently incriminated the leaders who had played with popular passions.
However, as of today, to celebrate the vote on this measure, far-right MEPs are chanting “Send them back!” » in their hemicycle. This show is chilling. Can we still hesitate?
We do not have to wait for the worst to recognize evil: a line has been crossed. We do not have to let our passions dominate us to the point of denying ourselves by flouting our most fundamental principles. To deny the humanity of the other is always to amputate one’s own.
What do we fear? The risk of losing ourselves, in welcoming the other? But this is the risk of love of neighbor, the risk that Jesus chose to run, by resisting the temptation to erase the other to ensure his survival. Our faith is in vain if it keeps us from running this risk. Will we, then, resist the temptation to remove these migrants from our field of responsibility, so as to no longer have to answer for them?
Migrants enrich society
We certainly need to better organize the reception of migrants. But we must also recognize that a significant proportion of the descendants of immigrants have experienced social ascension, have mingled with French society, have enriched it and today contribute to its vitality.
Our integration systems, largely imperfect, have played their role: the challenge of welcoming is bearing fruit, discreetly, slowly, but surely, like leaven in the dough.
Despite all the difficulties of integration, our eyes as disciples make us see that the risk of loving our neighbor is not lost in advance. Its fertility can be glimpsed, as Jesus announced. It nourishes our hope. And our resolution: we cannot remain silent.
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