Jesuits call for EU solidarity and 'truly accessible' asylum
Jesuit superior general Fr Adolfo Nicolás: "Immigrants are totally at the mercy of others". Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
European Jesuits have called on the EU to take "urgent action" on immigration because the humanitarian issue "cannot be resolved in Malta or the southern border states alone".
They added that asylum in Europe should be "truly accessible" and that "forced migrants" should be dealt with more justly and humanely.
In a joint statement at the end of its annual general assembly, which was this year held in Malta, the Jesuits, who run a refugee service on the island, called on the EU to take action in three ways.
They said the EU should show effective solidarity with those seeking protection, help over-burdened states with their human rights' obligations and strengthen partnerships with African states to sustain more dignified lives.
"Equally, it is a challenge to the whole of European society to confront the fear and xenophobia that sometimes underlies the utter resistance to the claims of migrants," they said.
The increasing inaccessibility of Europe to persons who urgently needed protection obliged thousands of men, women and children to risk their lives by crossing the sea on small, fragile boats, often with tragic consequences.
Speaking about the situation in Malta, the Jesuits said: "Except in the most desperate and vulnerable cases, they are then held in prolonged detention, in conditions that deepen previous suffering. If they succeed in gaining international protection, they still face untold difficulties, stemming from overcrowding, from Malta's very limited capacity to receive them and from the scarcity of employment opportunities."
Meanwhile, the Jesuits' superior general, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, yesterday told University students that no matter what Malta, or other countries, did to help refugees and immigrants, it would never be enough.
"Refugees in Malta suffer like all the refugees anywhere in the world. No matter how you treat them, the starting situation is alienation from their own country and their own family," he told University students after celebrating Mass at the campus chapel yesterday.
During a visit to Lyster Barracks earlier, Fr Nicolás met immigrants, mainly from Somalia, who are concerned about the families they left behind.
"One of them had just learnt that his wife, with two young children, had to leave the house because of fighting in the area," he said.
He said immigrants were totally at the mercy of others, but he was comforted to see that those who were showing him around were trying to minimise the suffering of migrants.
Fr Nicolás said these migrants came from different cultures and background and needed education so they could contribute to society.
In his homily, Fr Nicolás, who spent many years living in Asia, said University students were privileged, unlike migrants.
However, he said, education did not make one a master, but brought with it new responsibilities.
"We are not called to rule others but to serve," he said, adding that education opened many doors.
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john fenech
Oct 22nd 2009, 20:50
Mr. Malcolm Farrugia my opening statement is very clear were I stand regarding illegal immigrants. I have also qualified that the Maltese migrant’s were legal immigrant quote, “On the other hand, when the Maltese had to immigrate to foreign shores, albeit through official procedure”.
On the other hand either you missed the point or else preferred to look the other way quote, “Since we accept to do commerce with the African Countries (Arab League Countries) than we also have to consider the social and cultural aspect associated with it”. This was in relation to primitive customs.
The African emigrant (or illegal immigrant) who broke the law should be repatriated on the first available plane. Surely, that does mean that the remaining African nationals are lawbreakers. Likewise, some of the adventures of the Maltese nationals in foreign lands do not reflect the nature, as a nation, of our regard towards law and order. Coloured sheep unfortunately are universal to all races, even on our Island. Therefore, condemnation for those who break the law should be universal irrespective of creed or race.
Charles Sammut
Oct 22nd 2009, 17:30
Who do the Jesuits represent? Who voted for them and their politics? Do they think that university students do not see through their machinations? On second thoughts, they might be right on the latter.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Oct 22nd 2009, 16:39
Why are the Jesuits so adamant in mixing in millions upon millions of muslim and african illegal migrants into the christian european cultures on european soil?
Whose agenda does this act of great folly serve?
Why not help the african in his god allotted homeland instead?
Africa is a vast and rich continent with huge potential for the africans.
Charles Sammut
Oct 22nd 2009, 16:35
Jesuit superior general Fr Adolfo Nicolás: "Immigrants are totally at the mercy of others".
No, it is WE who are totally at the mercy of illegal immigrants.
Malcolm Farrugia
Oct 22nd 2009, 13:23
@ Mr J.Fenech - When maltese nationals emigrated to Australia they did so in a legal matter, and integrated within the Australian society, while at the same time paid all the contributions due to teir host country. On the other hand we have a situation in Malta, where African nationals are forcing their way trough in an illegal manner. The governmental institutions are providing food,shelter and medical assistance which is all paid by the taxpayer. After all this is provided the local press is packed solid with news related to court proceedings where African emigrants are brought to justice accused of drug trafficking, violence, rape and last but not least brawls within the "tent city" which led to the murder of another emigrant's death, all this for the sake of tribal rivalry!
Emanuel Cilia debono
Oct 22nd 2009, 12:48
The speaker does not distinguish between genuine refugees and economic migrants. Each category deserves to be treated differently. Whilst we shoud perhaps go out of our way to accept genuine refugees, we cannot do the same for economic migrants. Malta cannot be expected to be an open haven for unrestricted irregular migration beyond the pale of the rule of law,
louise vella
Oct 22nd 2009, 12:40
II
“They added that asylum in Europe should be "truly accessible" and that "forced migrants" should be dealt with more justly and humanely.”
Asylum in Europe should be truly accessible! The Jesuits know that the asylum system is abused systematically and on a large scale. Truly accessible would make it available to anybody. And what is this new term of “forced migrants”? Refugees are refugees and migrants are migrants. If “forced migrants” are all those having a low standard of living, then 900 million of Africa’s population of 1000 million would qualify as “forced migrants”.
What does “the claims of migrants” mean? If migrants are legal they have rights. Do the Jesuits want to expand rights to claims? In that case I have many claims against many people.
louise vella
Oct 22nd 2009, 12:39
I
Mysteriously, there is a missing piece in this story. Where did this pow-wow of Jesuit generals and superiors take place? Most probably in Mount St Joseph, the sprawling property the Jesuits have outside Mosta, where they hold retreats and other social and catering events. Persons who have been there say it has all the amenities and conveniences of a hotel.
Showing the way by good example is more effective than making holy sermons. The Jesuit generals and superiors could have decided that Mount St Joseph will from now on be transformed into a hostel for refugees and illegal immigrants from Africa, where they will be fed, clothed and cared for by the Jesuits at their expense. Don’t hold your breath!
john fenech
Oct 22nd 2009, 12:14
I still hold fast to my views that the illegal immigrant’s phenomenon, is adversely affecting the Maltese economy and security. On the other hand, when the Maltese had to immigrate to foreign shores, albeit through official procedure, the host countries were opening their doors to our primitive culture. If they had to adopt an insular perspective than the Maltese would never have left our shores.
Since we accept to do commerce with the African Countries than we also have to consider the social and cultural aspect associated with it. As regard primitive customs, we should not generalize or be selective, since we have more than 12000 foreign, of diverse nationality, whom for sure imported their own brand of customs primitive or otherwise!
Malcolm Farrugia
Oct 22nd 2009, 11:23
@ Franco Farrugia,
As you well said Malta has it's own primitive customs, but that doesn't mean that we have to accept other primitive customs and lifestyles coming from Africa.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 22nd 2009, 10:34
@ Mr M Farrugia - Well, we have enough primitive customs as it is, particularly in Malta!
Malcolm Farrugia
Oct 22nd 2009, 10:21
EU solidarity should start with fellow EU countries. Africa is not part of the EU, african nations form part of the african union, so it is their that they should seek help. What is the reason to come to Europe? To take our jobs and to force us to accept their primitive customs.