Bishops in South Africa Unveil “liturgy kit” To Pray for Migrants and Refugees

The 109th World Day for Migrants and Refugees that was celebrated on Sunday, September 24, on the theme, “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay.”

In his statement, Bishop Kizito said that like any other human beings, migrants and refugees have families and have permission to decide whether to stay or to migrate.

He said, “Host countries should not make it difficult for families to join their members who are already burdened with the challenges of migration. This imposes a biblical and moral obligation on us all to be an inclusive society.”

The Bishop of South Africa’s Aliwal North Diocese said that the essence of the World Day for Migrants and Refugees is to reawaken the commitment in the people to respect and to include those on the move “in different programs in our communities to better build the future with God’s plan.”

He said that the celebration, “also means recognizing and giving value to the contribution of each of those who choose to live here and to contribute to the building of our homes and cities.”

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“If we observe, many of the buildings surrounding us were built by migrants and refugees living in our country,” he said, adding, “The best way to grow a better-integrated community is to give opportunities to migrants and refugees together with the host community to put into practice their rights and obligations as a society.”

Bishop Kizito said that the best way to grow a better-integrated community is to make opportunities available to the migrants and refugees together with the host community to enable them to practice their rights and obligations as a society.

“The World Day of Migrants and Refugees must highlight the inclusive virtues of hospitality, generosity, kindness, and welcoming,” he said, and added, “We should learn from each other and put into practice the qualities given by the Holy Spirit to each human person.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.