Earlier this year, Pope Francis addressed the obligation and benefits of being open to refugees. The following excerpts from “Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy,” published by the Vatican on Sept. 12, 2015, spotlight important guideposts of this issue.
“Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in so doing, we open our doors to God, and that in the faces of others we see the face of Christ himself. … Yet there continue to be debates about the conditions and limits to be set for the reception of migrants…. The answer of the Gospel is mercy.
“Mercy nourishes and strengthens solidarity towards others as a necessary response to God’s gracious love. Each of us is responsible for his or her neighbor: we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. Concern for fostering good relationships with others and the ability to overcome prejudice and fear are essential ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter, in which we are not only prepared to give, but also to receive from others.”
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