Through a statement, the Bishops of the Presidency of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference called on the law enforcement agencies of Peru and Chile to respect the dignity of migrants, especially since among them are children, women and the elderly. “The human person possesses an inviolable dignity, which is intrinsic to him because he is created in the image and likeness of God. This dignity is sacred and must be respected and defended in all circumstances," the document states.
They also ask the authorities of both countries to “make the necessary efforts, with effective actions that lead to resolving this difficult migratory crisis; likewise, urgently, offer humanitarian aid as a palliative to the needs of migrants”.
HUMANITARIAN AID IS INDEPENDENT OF MIGRATION PROCESSES
To the authorities of Peru and Chile
To pastoral agents and people of good will,
who live on the border between Peru and Chile and to society in general:
The Bishops of the Presidency of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference view with deep concern the crisis that has originated with Venezuelan migrants on the border between Peru and Chile. Therefore, as Pastors of the People of God we address the authorities of Peru and Chile, migrants, pastoral agents and society in general to express the following:
As a Church, it is up to us to watch over and defend the life and dignity of every human being, without exception of nationality, sex, creed or social status. The human person possesses an inviolable dignity, which is intrinsic to him because he is created in the image and likeness of God. This dignity is sacred and must be respected and defended in all circumstances. In this regard, we call on law enforcement, in their legitimate right and responsibility to ensure national security, to act with humanism and professionalism, respecting the dignity of migrants at all times, even more so in the case of children, old men and women.
Likewise, we call on migrants to avoid violent acts and provocations that cause the reaction of more violence by other people, including law enforcement. Violence cannot be tolerated wherever it comes from.
We understand that Venezuelan migrants are forced to leave their homeland en masse, due to the political situation that unfortunately prevails in their country. This leads every government in the world, and especially the sister nations of Latin America, to act with rectitude and legality in their treatment towards these brothers, respecting their rights, but also the migratory regulations of the countries and the security of the borders to maintain a climate of peace between nations.
We ask the authorities of Peru and Chile to make the necessary efforts, with effective actions that lead to solving this difficult migratory crisis; likewise, urgently, offer humanitarian aid as a palliative to the needs of migrants.
Our recognition and gratitude to our brother Bishops of the Dioceses of Peru (Diocese of Tacna and Moquegua) and of Chile, as well as to the religious congregations for the solidarity actions they have been carrying out; We also call on pastoral agents and people of good will to make humanitarian gestures to meet the priority needs of migrant brothers, especially children and women.
Lima April 29, 2023
The Presidency of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference
Source: https://iglesia.org.pe/2023/04/30/comunicado-de-la-conferencia-episcopal-peruana-sobre-la-crisis-migratoria-en-la-frontera-con-chile/
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