Johannesburg, 12 August, 2022 / 9:35 pm (ACI Africa).
There is need for the local Church to take up the responsibility of welcoming and promoting the dignity of refugees and migrants, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles (Scalabrinians) who is on a canonical visit to South Africa has said.
In an interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Leonir Chiarello acknowledged with appreciation the ministry of his confreres in the “evangelization programs” and the “network of shelters and houses for migrants and refugees” in South Africa’s Archdioceses of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“It is the duty of the local church, of everyone, not only the Scalabrinians, but it’s also the Church’s responsibility to welcome migrants and refugees, to protect them and to promote their dignity,” Fr. Chiarello said during the Thursday, August 11 interview.
Credit: St Patrick's La Rochelle
The local church, the Superior General of the Religious Order that fosters service to migrants, refugees, seafarers, and people on the move said, “ought to recognize in each person, in each human being a brother, a sister, as our faith invites us to welcome people from other countries and to help them, to protect them and to help them to integrate in society.”
Credit: St Patrick's La Rochelle
Fr. Leonir Chiarello and Archbishop Buti Tlhagale during visit to St Patrick Catholic Church in Johannesburg. Credit: St Patrick's La Rochelle
