By Rosinha Martins
International Migration and Refuge: Recent Challenges; Integration of Migrants in the Host Community; Advocacy and Networking in Defense of Human Rights; The Migrant as a Theological Place for the Scalabrinian Mission, will be the topics of reflection for the Scalabrinian Sisters who are meeting from August 29th to September 3rd in Jundiaí, São Paulo.
The aim of the meeting, which brings together around 40 Sisters from all regions of Brazil, is to analyze and evaluate their apostolic actions in order to provide more efficient and effective responses in times of mass global migration.
According to Sister Janete Ferreira, animator of the missionary work with migrants in the São Paulo Province and one of those responsible for the event, “the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles, inspired by its founder, John Baptist Scalabrini, has as its main task defending the cause of immigrants and refugees, preferably the poorest and those in vulnerable situations”. This work, he explains, “is concretized through the pastoral care of migrants, in different forms, in a common commitment to prophetic evangelization.”.
A member of the Scalabrinian Center for Migration Studies (CSEM) and director of the Journal of Human Mobility (REMHU), Professor Roberto Marinucci, points out that the Congregation of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters feels deeply challenged by the dramatic situation of millions of human beings fleeing war conflicts, widespread violations of human rights and degrading living conditions. “In this context, it is essential to be fully aware of the global and local causes, both collective and individual, that are at the root of these events, in order to trigger effective and coherent socio-pastoral responses, with a view to building a more just and humane world, where no one is a stranger.”.
Current migrations in Brazil
Since its ‘discovery’, Brazil has had a diverse face. At that time, European, African and Japanese features colored the nation, on the one hand in a positive way, favoring the country's development and the survival of these peoples. On the other hand, the marks and negative consequences of forced immigration can still be seen today, making Brazil a country in the process of development.
In recent years, Brazil has been a safe haven for thousands of Haitians who left their place of origin, mainly because of the earthquake in 2010 that devastated the country and has not left the crisis to this day. Thousands more are arriving from Syria because of the wars, from countries in Africa and Asia because of political and civil conflicts. Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Palestine and many others are looking for safe and secure land here.
But it's not all a bed of roses, because in the mix of colors and languages, there are conflicts marked by prejudice, xenophobia, precarious living conditions, unemployment and human trafficking. And it is in this scenario that Scalabrinian missionaries are challenged to make a difference by defending the rights of these immigrants as children and brothers and sisters in the same common home.
Scalabriniana receives “Donna Women Who Inspire” award”
In Caxias do Sul, a city in Rio Grande that has received hundreds of African immigrants, Sister Maria do Carmo, a Scalabrinian missionary from Rio Grande do Sul, received the ‘Donna, women who inspire’ award for her pioneering work with immigrants. At the beginning of her work at the Care Center, Sister Maria began by assisting people from the region, that is, gauchos who came from neighboring cities in search of better living conditions in Caxias. She became the safe haven, the welcoming place for foreigners in the south. “What impresses me most is that I've never seen her ask for anything in return. Imagine that! A Brazilian who doesn't even belong to our religion. Who's to say that God won't pay Sister Maria back?" Muslim Billy told Donna.
Service
Meeting of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters on apostolic work with migrants and refugees (Program attached).
Date: August 29th to September 3rd, 2016
Venue: São Carlos Eventos e Hospedagem
Rua dr. Nelson Pereira da Silva, 121
Bairro da Colônia - Jundiaí - SP
Contact: Rosinha Martins
Tel: (0110 3272 05 74
Whatsapp: (061)982494894
Source: http://vistadeumpontorm.blogspot.com.br/2016/08/scalabrinianas-se-reunem-em-torno-do_26.html?m=1