Evangelical Approach of John Paul II to Migrations as to a Source of Well-Being

Abstract

Starting from the fundamental view that the Church exists in order to evangelize, John Paul II, in the light of evangelical philanthropy and solidarity, traces the Church's path in relation to the phenomenon of migration at the beginning of the third millennium. It is about pleading for the dignity of each particular man and his family, which springs from man's godlikeness. Such an attitude is uncompromisingly advocated by the Holy Father in his epistles for the World Day of Migrants. Accordingly, the Church and all its members, if they wish to remain faithful to Christ's mission, must not be blind to the cries and needs of migrants and their families, but must authentically live the truth of Christ, i.e. evangelically intervene and show solidarity, and thus in dialogue to bear witness and proclaim the fullness of salvation reserved to the Church through Christ. Migration in this sense is not a threat, but an opportunity for the progress and growth of the well-being of the human family. Consequently, the unavoidable path of the Church of the third millennium is the culture of life, i.e. the culture of welcome, family integration and humane pluralism.