Spanish bishops on migrants: 'We don't love God if we don't love our brothers'

The head of the migration commission for the Spanish Bishops' Conference emphasized that love of neighbor is essential for Christians, and this includes a care for migrants and refugees.

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Migrants

Highlights

By CNA News
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/20/2019 (4 years ago)

Published in Europe

Keywords: MIGRANTS, MADRID, SPAIN, EUROPE

Madrid, Spain, (CNA) - The head of the migration commission for the Spanish Bishops' Conference emphasized that love of neighbor is essential for Christians, and this includes a care for migrants and refugees.

"We don't love God if we don't love our brothers," stressed Bishop Luis Quinteiro of Tuy-Vigo in a presentation on the bishops' preparations for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

Observed in the Church since 1914 as an opportunity for prayer and awareness, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be held Sept. 29. Pope Francis has chosen as this year's theme, "It's not just about migrants."

Normally observed in January, the day will instead by marked on the last Sunday of September this year.

Quinteiro called migration "a decisive issue" and said he hopes that this World Day of Migrants and Refugees will help remind people that foreigners are "not a danger, but help to enrich us."

In a message, the Spanish bishops called for the most vulnerable to be protected and for human rights of migrants to be respected regardless of their legal status.

They also called for the closure of detention centers where migrants who cross the border illegally are held. The detention centers have drawn significant criticism for poor living conditions.

"It's not just about migrants, it's about humanity," said Fr. Jose Luis Pinilla, secretary general of the Spanish Conference of Religious.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'