Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.93.3.5

Migrants Among Us: Reflex of Resistance and Reflection of Opportunity

Ana Marčinko ; Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Zagreb, Croatia
Stanko Perica orcid.org/0000-0001-6987-5495 ; Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Contemporary migrations are a phenomenon of exceptional importance for the vast majority of modern societies. Due to the high number of migrants, insufficient engagement with the factors that generate migration from underdeveloped countries, and frequent examples of failure of integration in Western countries, there is a common perception that migration represents a threat and a long-term danger for immigration societies. The Christian worldview, however, conditions a different assessment of this phenomenon, which it approaches starting from the fundamental postulate of the inalienable dignity of every human person. Given that the same postulate is embedded in the foundations of the legal systems of democratic countries, Christianity has the important task of helping to re-establish civilizational values that have been driven to a crisis in Western countries by the treatment of unwanted migrants. This is par ticularly true for the Croatian context, where we see a number of aspects in which the Church could help the state and citizens overcome confusion and apathy. In addition to this service to the society, it also does an important service to herself, as it establishes herself as a bearer of social values and promulgates its evangelical capital. A faith that is not reduced to traditional self-understanding cannot escape the concern towards migrants, and it cannot reduce this concern to mere humanitarianism either. The phenomenon of contemporary migration therefore represents both a great challenge, as well as a great, unique and historic opportunity.

Keywords

migrants; refugees; solidarity; human dignity; justice; engagement of the Church

Hrčak ID:

311236

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/311236

Publication date:

12.12.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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