Inspired by Pope Francis’s compassionate vision, Spanish bishops are urging for the closure of migrant detention centers, advocating instead for legal pathways for migration and comprehensive laws facilitating migrant integration.
In a pastoral address focused on migration, Spanish bishops have emphasized the need for new “legal and safe” migration routes, alongside laws enabling access to regularization, dignified employment, housing, healthcare, education, and cultural opportunities for migrants. Central to their message is the call for the closure of migrant detention facilities, aligning with Pope Francis’s assertion in ‘Fratelli Tutti’ (All Brothers) that migrants are not a problem but an opportunity for enriching integral human development.
Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid and Xavier Gomez, the migration department director of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), delivered this address on May 6, underscoring the moral imperative for humane migration policies.
Xavier Gomez cautioned against succumbing to the “drug of fear” often exploited in political discourse, particularly during electoral campaigns, urging Catholics to reject racism and xenophobia. He criticized the political manipulation of migration issues globally, which fuels hostility and misinformation.
The bishops’ document challenges common misconceptions, refuting the notion that immigrants steal jobs and highlighting their significant contributions to society. They stress that migrants are not a threat but a valuable resource essential for Spain’s economic and social vitality, especially given the need for a rejuvenated labor market in Europe.
Moreover, the bishops deplore the loss of lives at borders and condemn human trafficking networks, emphasizing the imperative to combat such criminal enterprises with the full force of the law.
By echoing Pope Francis’s message of compassion and solidarity, Spanish bishops are advocating for policies that uphold the dignity and rights of migrants while promoting a more inclusive and just society.