The Church body recognizes that the ideal would be not to have to emigrate “to overcome poverty”, but considers it a “reason for patriotic pride” that there are immigrants who want to live in Portugal, and a “reason for shame” that there are those who feel “hostilized” here.
The National Justice and Peace Commission reaffirmed this Tuesday the importance of immigration for host countries, and even for countries of origin. In a note entitled 'a good for all', this Catholic Church body begins by stressing that "at a time when voices hostile to immigrants are being heard with increasing force, in Portugal and in other countries", it is important to follow the example of Pope Francis, and show "the good that legal, orderly and safe migration can bring to the societies of origin and destination of immigrants".
For the CNJP, “the indispensability” of immigrant workers “in various sectors of economic activity in Portugal” is increasingly evident, with “financial contributions” to the Portuguese State “greater than the benefits they receive (despite them being at even greater risk of poverty and severe material deprivation than nationals)”.
The Note also recalls the importance of immigrants in helping to combat “the demographic crisis in Europe”, and guarantees that “contrary to what is often reported, the increase in immigration that Portugal has experienced in recent years has not translated into an increase in crime”.
“In general, the typical immigrant is characterized by a special capacity for work, savings and dedication to family, which contrasts completely with a greater tendency towards delinquency. This does not invalidate the importance of, as the Pope has emphasized, welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating immigrants. These are also the most effective ways of preventing crime,” the note reads.
Remembering that most immigrants who come to Portugal “share our language” and are “culturally close”, the CNJP subscribes to what Pope Francis has defended: the “dialogue of cultures” translates into “reciprocal enrichment”.
For this Church body, immigrants are not just useful “workforce”, nor should they be seen only from the perspective of the good they can bring to our country. “We must view migration from the perspective of social justice”, because “everyone has the same right to enjoy the goods of the earth, whose destination is universal, as the social doctrine of the Church teaches”.
The note also cites the encyclical Fratelli tutti, to remind us that “each nation is co-responsible for the development of all people”, and that “ the ideal would be for emigration not to be necessary to overcome poverty, but as long as there is no serious progress towards the development of poor countries, we must recognize the right of each person to find a place where they can not only satisfy basic needs, but also fully realize themselves as a person ”.
“It is good that these words have a particular echo in Portugal, a country marked by emigration for centuries”, recalls the National Justice and Peace Commission, considering that the challenge is “to treat the immigrants who come to us as we would like our brothers who have emigrated, and emigrate, to other countries to be treated ”.
And he concludes: “it should always continue to be a source of patriotic pride and joy for us that immigrants want to live in Portugal because it is a welcoming country where they feel at home. It should be a source of shame and sadness that they feel harassed and are victims of discrimination and injustice here.”