Provincial Newsletter

Boletín Provincial Province of Saint John the Baptist

546 North East Avenue

Oak Park, IL 60302-2207

Phone 708/386-4430 Fax 708/386-4457

Email: psjb1906@comcast.net

July/December 2007 Issues 3, 4 & 6

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

¡Feliz Navidad y un 2008 colmado de bendiciones! Fr. Antonio Tapparello, CS

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS LETTER FROM THE PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR /CARTA DE LA SUPERIOR PROVINCIAL AROUND THE PROVINCE/NOTICIAS DE LA PROVINCIA DOCUMENTS/DOCUMENTOS:

1) Destination of Theology Students 2) Destination of Novices 3) Final Report – construction of Casa del Migrante, Guatemala

City Informe Final - Construcciòn del Centro Pastoral de Atenciòn al Migrante – Ciudad Guatemala

4) XII Edición del Premio Italia en el Mundo 5) Message Of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the 94th World Day

of Migrants and Refugees Mensaje Del Santo Padre Benedicto XVI para la Jornada Mundial Del Emigrante y el Refugiado

6) Homilía - Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cardenal Rogelio Mahony

7) The Framing of Immigration By George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson

Around the Province Assignments Fr. Abraham Euan: Vocation promotion in Guatemala, effective Jan 1, 2008 Fr. Abraham Ochoa: Director of Casa del Migrante, Guatemala, effective Jan 1, 2008 Appointments Fr. Firmo Mantovani: Local Superior, Holy Cross, San Jose, CA Fr. Jorge Bravo: Bursar, St. Luke, Irving, TX Fr. Humberto Chacón: Bursar, St. Leo, Houston, TX Fr. Antonio DeAngelis: Bursar, Our Lady of Fatima, Vancouver, BC Fr. Mauro Lazzarato: Bursar, St. Charles, Mt. Carmel and Casa Italia, Melrose Park, IL Perpetual Profession On November 4, 2007 Mauro Organista and Brutus Brunel made their Perpetual Profession in Santa Maria Addolorata Church, Chicago. The same day seven religious of Scalabrini House of Theology renewed their temporary vows: Jaime B. Aguila, Juan Luis Carbajal, Carlos A. Clavel, Oscar Cuapio Lima, Francesco D’Agostino, J. Rodrigo Gris Castro and Frandry Tamar. First Professions The three novices of our Novitiate in Purepero made their First Profession on November 28: Alejandro Conde R., Víctor Córdoba G., and Pablo Velásquez A. Novitiate 2007-2008 On November 27 three postulants were began the year of Novitiate: Juan Martín Cervantes, Marcos Manuel López and Marco Antonio Ortiz. Another novice, José Grimaldo is stationed at the Casa del Migrante in Nuevo Laredo for an experience. Ordinations Tomás E. Ruiz will be ordained to the priesthood on December 22 in Los Mochis, Sin. Mexico. Tomás did his theological studies in Manila and is assigned to Saint Francis Cabrini Province. Mauro Organista and Brutus Brunel will be ordained deacons on February 2, 2008 in St. Charles Church, Melrose Park, IL by Most Rev. Lawrence Sabatini, CS, Bishop Emeritus of Kamloops. New Student at Scalabrini House of Theology The newly professed Alejandro Conde Romero, from our novitiate in Purepero, was assigned to the Scalabrini House of Theology. Welcome! New Religious Assigned to the Province Bro. William F. Becerra was assigned to our Province. Bro. William, a Colombian, will complete his theology studies in Manila in the summer of 2008. Welcome! “Be Not Afraid” - Ecumenical Theological Conference The Hearts for Justice Organization of San Diego is sponsoring an Ecumenical Theological Conference at the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, January 21-24, 2008.

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The theme of the conference, “Be Not Afraid”, is intended to recognize the reality of fear that many immigrants face in their difficult journeys, and the reality of the growing atmosphere of fear confronting us through the symptom/lens of immigration. The conference will address the idea of “faith in the reality of global capitalism” with Biblical reflection, along with examining the economic and political elements. Particularly, it will look at migration as a symptom and consequence of those realities and search for clues to solutions in the experience of migrants. The speakers are: Bishop Samuel Ruiz, Rev. James Forbes, Fr. Richard Rohr, Elsa Tamez and Brian McLaren. Website: www.hearts4justice.org Fr. Raniero Alessandrini Fr. Raniero published a book entitled “Welcome! Pastoral Response to Hispanic Migrants”. Thanks, Fr. Raniero, for such an outstanding work! If you wish to receive a copy contact Fr. Raniero at St. Peter’s Phone 323-225-8119 Email: Alesrana1@yahoo.com The sections of the book address the following topics:

• Understanding culture and dialogue between cultures • Migration and the Bible Tradition • Basic documents of the Church on migration • Faith and Primary Religiosity • Popular Religiosity and Celebrations • Typical Hispanic Celebrations • Expressions and a Way of living in Hispanic culture • Challenging components in Mexican American culture • Pastoral suggestions for community’s building and liturgical celebrations

Fr. Florenzo Rigoni On December 5 Fr. Florenzo Rigoni received an award from Fondazione Italia for his humanitarian work in defense of migrants. The Italian Ambassador in Mexico City, Felice Scauso handed the award to Fr. Rigoni and to other personalities of Italian origin in Mexico. Congratulations, Fr. Flor Maria! Formation Meeting All the formators and vocation promoters of the Province will meet in Mexico City on January 15 and 16, 2008. Fr. Carmelo Hernández, who is visiting our formation houses, will attend the meeting. Guatemala City Project The new casa del Migrante was inaugurated on August 10, 2007. The construction of the new seminary is proceeding without any problems and it should be ready around Easter 2008. We are very grateful for the donations we received for the Guatemala City Project from most of our missions, the General Administration, Italy and Germany. The amount received as per October 31, 2007 is $319,309.03 Please see the final report of the construction of Casa del Migrante. The report of the new seminary will be presented when the construction is completed. Scalabrinian Lay Movement The Provincial Secretariat for the Scalabrinian Lay Movement is revising and updating the teaching units. They met already on two occasions, July in Sun Valley and November in Mexico City. They are planning another meeting in January 2008 in Sun

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Valley. New groups of the SLM have been formed in Kansas City, Mexico City and Guadalajara. Assembly of Local Superiors The Local Superiors will meet on January 29-30, 2008 at St. Charles Residence, Sun Valley, CA. XX Assembly of Major Superiors The XX Assembly of Major Superiors will take place in Rome on February 5-14, 2008. Inter-provincial Assembly The 2008 Inter-provincial Assembly will take place in Chicago from March 31 to April 4. Arrival is March 31 and Departure April 4. By January 10, 2008 we’ll send by email the convening letters to all the members of the Province. The theme of the Assembly is: Migration and Inter-religious Dialogue. Unification of Provinces The XIII Chapter asked both North American Provinces to continue the study and elaboration of a possible unification between them and/or a new form of government in the area, to be further defined during the inter-provincial Assembly 2008. In the beginning of January we’ll send to everyone a survey drafted by the Assembly of Local Superiors and approved by both Provincial Administrations. Inter- Provincial Directory You will receive a copy of the Inter-provincial Directory revised by the Provincial Administrations. If you have any observation or correction, please contact the provincial office ASAP. Inter-provincial website The Inter-provincial website www.scalabrinians.org is on the web and at the service of our missions. Some of our missions have a web page already. I encourage those who do not have a web page to prepare some information about the parish or seminary, send it to the provincial office and we’ll be more than to upload it to the website. North American Area Formation Course 2008 The XIII Chapter (52 §2) requested that during the next six years each area shall organize 3 meetings on specific topics: person and community, Scalabrinian spirituality and pastoral ministry. The first course will take place in our seminary in Mexico City July 14-25, 2008. The topic is: person and community. Fathers Miguel Alvarez and Edison Osorio are in charge of organizing the course. Death in the family Maria Lazzarato, Fr. Mauro’s mother passed away on December 10. Our condolences and prayers to Fr. Mauro and his family. May the Lord grant her eternal peace! Phone numbers and new emails Our confreres at St. Luke, Irving, TX, inform that their cellular phone numbers are: Fr. Clair Orso 972-757-0757 Fr. Jorge Bravo 972-757-5391 Fr. Ernesto Esqueda Guadalajara padretepa@hotmail.com Fr. August Feccia Windsor afeccia@cogco.ca Fr. Clair Orso Irving clairorso@hotmail.com

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Noticias de la Provincia Destinaciones P. Abraham Euan: Promotor vocacional en Guatemala, efectivo 01/01/08 P. Abraham Ochoa: Director de la Casa del Migrante en Guatemala, efectivo 01/01/08 Nombramientos P. Firmo Mantovani: Superior Local, Holy Cross, San Jose, CA P. Jorge Bravo: Ecónomo, St. Luke, Irving, TX P. Humberto Chacón: Ecónomo, St. Houston, TX P. Antonio DeAngelis: Ecónomo, Our Lady of Fatima, Vancouver, BC P. Mauro Lazzarato: Ecónomo, St. Charles, Mt. Carmel, Casa Italia, Melrose Park, IL Profesión Perpetua El 4 de noviembre de 2007 Mauro Organista y Brutus Brunel hicieron su Profesión Perpetua en la parroquia de Addolorata en Chicago. En el mismo día, siete religiosos de la Scalabrini House of Theology renovaron los votos temporales: Jaime B. Aguila, Juan Luis Carbajal, Carlos A. Clavel, Oscar Cuapio Lima, Francesco D’Agostino, J. Rodrigo Gris Castro y Tamar Frandry. Primeras Profesiones Los tres novicios de nuestro noviciado de Purépero hicieron su Primera Profesión el 28 de noviembre: Alejandro Conde R., Víctor Córdoba G., y Pablo Velásquez A. Noviciado 2007-2008 El 27 de noviembre tres postulantes iniciaron el año de noviciado: Juan Martín Cervantes, Marcos Manuel López y Marco Antonio Ortiz. Otro novicio, José Grimaldo, está realizando una experiencia en la Casa del Migrante de Nuevo Laredo. Ordenaciones Tomás E. Ruiz será ordenado sacerdote el 22 de diciembre en Los Mochis, Sin., México. Tomás realizó sus estudios teológicos en Manila y está destinado a la Provincia de Santa Francisca Cabrini. Mauro Organista y Brutus Brunel será ordenados diáconos el 2 de febrero 2008 en la parroquia de San Carlos de Melrose Park, IL, por Mons. Lawrence Sabatini, CS, Obispo Emérito de Kamloops. Nuevo estudiante en la Scalabrini House of Theology El neo-profeso Alejandro Conde Romero, del noviciado de Purépero, fue destinado a la Scalabrini House of Theology de Chicago. ¡Bienvenido! Nuevo religioso asignado a la Provincia El Hno. William F. Becerra fue destinado a nuestra Provincia. El Hno. William, Colombiano, completará sus estudios teológicos en Manila en el verano del 2008. ¡Bienvenido! “No Temas” - Conferencia Teológica Ecuménica La “Hearts for Justice Organization” de San Diego está patrocinando una conferencia teológica ecuménica en la Casa del Migrante de Tijuana los días 21-24 de enero, 2008.

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El tema de la conferencia, “No Temas”, pretende reconocer la realidad del miedo que muchos inmigrantes encuentran en sus difíciles jornadas, y la realidad de la creciente atmósfera de miedo que nos afronta a través del síntoma/lente de la inmigración. La conferencia abordará la idea de la “fe en la realidad del capitalismo” con la reflexión bíblica, junto con el examen de los elementos económicos y políticos. De manera particular, va considerar la migración como un síntoma y consecuencia de aquellas realidades y buscará pistas para soluciones en la experiencia de los migrantes. Los conferencistas son: Obispo Samuel Ruiz, Rev. James Forbes, P. Richard Rohr, Elsa Tamez y Brian McLaren Página web: www.hearts4justice.org P. Raniero Alessandrini El P. Raniero Alessandrini publicó un livro que se titula “¡Bienvenido! Respuesta Pastoral a los Migrantes Hispanos”. Gracias, P. Raniero, por un trabajo ten excelente. Si desean tener una copia. Favor de contactar al P. Raniero en St. Peter 323-225.8119 Email: Alesrana1@yahoo.com Las varias secciones del libro aborda los siguientes temas:

• Entender la cultura y el diálogo entre culturas • Migración y Tradición Bíblica • Documentos básicos de la Iglesia sobre la migracipón • Fe y Religiosidad Primaria • Religiosidad Popular y Celebraciones • Típicas Celebraciones Hispanas • Expresiones y Manera de vivir en la Cultura Hispana • Componentes desafiadores en la cultura Mexico-Americana • Sugerencias pastorales para la edficación de la comunidad y las celebraciones

litúrgicas. P. Florenzo Rigoni El P. Florenzo recibió, el 5 de diciembre, un premio de la Fondazione Italia por su labor humanitaria en defensa de los migrantes. El Embajador de Italia en la Cd. De México Felice Scauso entregó el premio al P. Rigoni y a otras personalidades de orígen italiano en México. ¡Congratulaciones, P. Flor María! Reunión de los formadores y promotores vocacionales Todos los formadores y promotores vocacionales de la Provincia tienen una reunión en la Cd. De México los días 15 y 16 de enero de 2008. El P. Carmelo Hernández, quien está visitando nuestras casas de formación participará de la reunión. Proyecto Ciudad Guatemala La nueva Casa del Migrante fue inaugurada el 10 de agosto, 2007. La construcción del nuevo seminario sigue adelante sin problemas y deberá estar listo para la Pascua 2008. Somos profundamente agradecidos por las donaciones que recibimos para el Proyecto Ciudad Guatemala de la mayoría de nuestras misiones, de la Administraciión General, de Italia y Alemania. Hasta el 31 de octubre habíamos recibido $319,309.03 Favor de ver el informe de la construcción de la Casa del Migrante. El informe del nuevo seminario lo publicaremos así que se complete la obra. Movimiento Laico Scalabriniano El Secretariado Provincial para la promoción del Movimiento Laico Scalabriniano está revisando y actualizando las unidades didácticas. Ellos ya se reunioron dos veces, julio

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en Sun Valley y noviembre en la Cd. De México. Tienen planeado otro encuentro para enero 2008 en Sun Valley. Nuevos grupos del MLS se formaron en Kansas City, Cd. de México y Guadalajara. Asamblea de los Superiores Locales Los superiores locales se reunirán los días 29-30 de enero de 2008 en la St. Charles Rectory, Sun Valley, CA XX Asamblea de los Superiores Mayores La XX ASM tendrá lugar en Roma de 5 a 14 de febrero de 2008. Asamblea Interprovincial En 2008 la Asamblea Interprovincial será en Chicago de 31 de marzo 4 de abril. Llegada el 31 de marzo y salida el 4 de abril. Por el 10 de enero enviaremos a todos la convocación. Tema: Migración y Diálogo interreligioso. Unificación de Provincias El XIII Capítulo pidió a ambas Provincias Norteamericanas de continuar el estudio y la formulación de una posible unificación entre nuestras dos provincias y/o una nueva forma de gobierno para el área definirse en la Asamblea Interprovincial de 2008. A principios de enero enviaremos a todos una encuesta preparada por la Asemblea de los Superiores Locales y aprobada por ambas Direcciones Provinciales. Directorio Interprovincial Enviaremos a todos una copia del Directorio Interprovincial revisado por las Direcciones Provinciales. Si ustedes tienen cualquier observación o corrección, favor de contactar la oficina provincial los más pronto posible. Página web Interprovincial La página web interprovincial www.scalabrinians.org está en la web y al servicio de nuestras misiones. Varias de las misiones tienen ya su página web. Les pedimos a los cohermanos que todavía no la tienen de preparar alguna información sobre la parroquia o seminario, enviarla a la oficina provincial para que sea descargada en la página web. Curso de formación para el área norteamericana en 2 008 El XIII Capítulo (52 §2) pidió que, durante el Sexenio, cada área organice tres encuentros con los siguientes temas: persona y comunidad, espiritualidad Scalabriniana y pastoral. El primer curso tendrá lugar en nuestro seminario de la Cd. de México de 14 a 25 de julio, 2008. El tema será: persona y comunidad. Los Padres Miguel Alvarez y Edison Osorio están encargados de organizar este curso. Muerte en la familia María Lazzarato, la mamá del P. Mauro falleció el 10 de diciembre. Nuestras condolencias y oraciones al P. Mauro y su familia. ¡Descanse en paz! Teléfonos y nuevos emails Nuestros cohermanos de St. Luke, Irving, TX comunican que sus números de celulares son: P. Clair Orso 972-757-0757 P. Jorge Bravo 972-757-5391 P. Ernesto Esqueda Guadalajara padretepa@hotmail.com P. Augusto Feccia Windsor afeccia@cogco.ca P. Clair Orso Irving clairorso@hotmail.com

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JANUARY 01/07/77 - Brunel Brutus * 01/22/62 - Francisco Pellizzari 01/23/35 - Nicholas Marro 01/24/64 - Gianantonio Baggio 01/29/21 - Mario Rauzi FEBRUARY 02/06/20 - Peter Sordi 02/08/61 - Gerardo Garcia 02/09/52 - Patrick Murphy 02/16/28 - Albert Corradin 02/16/30 - Alex Dalpiaz 02/16/46 - Romano Cerantola 02/18/57 - Adriano Barbiero 02/20/76 - Humberto Chacón 02/26/53 - Richard Zanotti 02/26/78 - Alejandro Conde * JANUARY 01/17/93 Mauro Verzeletti 01/26/91 Adilso Balen 01/31/88 Ademar Barilli FEBRUARY 02/21/04 Abraham Euan IN MEMORIAM January Born Dec'd 1 - Bro. Stephen Borgo 1913 2006 2 - Rev. Angelo Calandra 1924 1991 9 - Rev. Arnaldo Vanoli 1881 1957 21 - Rev. Alex Peloso 1914 2000 23 - Rev. Luigi Riello 1909 1971 25 - Rev. Giuseppe Bernardi 1903 1959 26 - Rev. Angelo Bordignon 1927 2004 27 - Rev. Pietro Vesta 1927 1975 31 - Rev. Lino Fongaro 1920 2006 February 2 - Rev. Gerolamo Angeli 1908 1984 7 - Rev. Giulio Gragnani 1911 1979 10 - Rev. Anthony Felicicchia 1909 1960 10 - Rev. Mario Spada 1924 1977 19 - Mons. William O'Brien 1877 1962 19 - Rev. Luigi Franchinotti 1884 1981 22 - Card. Carlo Perosi, 1868 1930 sup. gen. 26 - Rev. Peter Bianchetta 1887 1950

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CASA GENERALIZIA DEI MISSIONARI DI SAN CARLO BORROM EO – SCALABRINIANI –

Via Calandrelli 42 – 00153 – Tel. 06 58 33 11 35 – Fax 06 580 38 08 Roma

Roma, 14 novembre 2007 Superiori Provinciali e Superiore Regionale Primo e Secondo Consigliere della Regione Beato G.B. Scalabrini _____________________________________________________ Cari confratelli, Il Superiore generale, con il consenso del suo Consiglio, ottenuto il 13 novembre, dopo le consulte con i Superiori Provinciali e con gli studenti religiosi interessati, tenendo conto delle linee di programmazione stabilite dal XIII Capitolo generale, ha assegnato alle Province/Regione i seguenti religiosi studenti che appartengono alle comunità Teologiche di Chicago, Manila e San Paulo. Scalabrini House of Theology, Chicago Mauro José ORGANISTA Lupercio Provincia San Pietro Brunel BRUTUS Provincia San Pietro

Scalabrini Theological House of Studies, Manila

Wilver O. GUERRA Regione G.B. Scalabrini Gesner FELIX Provincia Santa Francesca X. Cabrini Fr. William F. BECERRA Pedraza Provincia San Giovanni Battista Seminário João XXIII, Saõ Paulo Gustot LUCIEN Provincia San Paolo Alisson RODRIGUES Santos Provincia Santa Francesca X. Cabrini Queste destinazioni missionarie sono ora ufficiali e possono essere rese pubbliche. Suggerisco ai Superiori Provinciali/Regionale interessati di iniziare il contatto con i religiosi che sono stati destinati alle loro rispettive province/regione. Ringraziamo il Signore perché continua a donare alla nostra Congregazione vocazioni missionaria per il servizio ai migranti. Ringraziamo i Superiori Provinciali e le equipe formative dei Seminari di Teologia e i sette religiosi interessati che hanno cooperato per lo svolgimento normale del processo di queste prime destinazioni missionarie. Affidiamo questi nostri religiosi ormai prossimi a iniziare il lavoro missionario alla protezione de Nuestra Señora Madre de los Migrantes e del nostro Beato Fondatore. Vi saluto in Cristo, P. Sergio Olivo Geremia, cs Superiore generale

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15 de noviembre del 2007 Superiores Provinciales/Regional Rectores de la Teologías Padres Maestros Un saludo fraterno, deseándoles éxito en su ministerio formativo al servicio del Reino en nuestra Congregación Scalabriniana. En la reunión del Consejo General del 12 y 13 de noviembre, después de consultar a los provinciales y maestros de novicios, el Superior general ha destinado los novicios del Noviciado de Guarne y Purépero a continuar su formación religiosa y teológica a las siguientes comunidades:

1. Seminario Teológico San José • Leopold Robert del noviciado de Guarne • John Michel del noviciado de Guarne

2. Scalabrini House of Theology de Chicago : • Alejandro Conde Romero del noviciado de Purépero

3. Scalabrini Theological House of Studies de Manil a • Wilmar Yesid Rodríguez Suárez del noviciado de Guarne • César Augusto Salamanca Ramírez del noviciado de Guarne

4. Istituto Teologico Scalabriniano de Roma • Pablo Velásquez Avendaño del noviciado de Purépero • Víctor Córdova González del noviciado de Purépero

5. Seminário João XXIII de São Paulo • José Daniel Rivera Cardona del noviciado de Guarne • Dieucel Pierre del noviciado de Guarne.

Demos gracias al Señor por los nuevos religiosos que El dona a la Congregación. Gracias a los Maestros de novicios que han seguido a estos hermanos nuestros en este año tan importante en su formación Scalabriniana. Y gracias a los novicios por aceptar la destinación a las comunidades teológicas. Que este período de votos temporáneos sea un tiempo para “adquirir un conocimiento más profundo del espíritu del Fundador y de la finalidad de la Congregación, y a intensificar la preparación a la misión específica” (RdV 139.3). Pidamos a El que dé la fidelidad y perseverancia a estos hermanos nuestros. Fraternalmente, P. Carmelo Hernández, cs

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INFORME FINAL CONSTRUCCIÒN DEL CENTRO PASTORAL DE ATENCIÒN AL MIG RANTE –

CIUDAD GUATEMALA Estimado Provincial y Consejo. Reciban un cordial saludo de paz y bien. Que el buen Dios los acompañen en sus labores cotidianas. Tengo el agrado de presentar el informe final del proyecto ejecutado en Guatemala, Ciudad Capital. El informe financiero cuenta con los rubros de forma general de los gastos efectuados. Los detalles del informe se encuentran en el Archivo de los Misioneros de San Carlos Scalabrinianos en Guatemala. Cualquiera duda sobre el informe estaré a la disposición para brindar todas las informaciones requeridas. Aporte Provincia (campaña Proyecto Guatemala) $ 60.000.00 Aporte Casa del Migrante – Tijuana: $ 30.000.00 Aporte Misión Tecùn Umàn – Livio Stella y Ademar Barilli: $ 67.000.00 Aporte Misión Cuidad Guatemala: $ 69.000.00 Total $ 226.000.00 El Centro Pastoral de Atención al Migrante, cuenta con toda la infra estructura para el servicio y la acción pastoral en el mundo de las migraciones. Modernización y equipo nuevo para un mejor servicio a los migrantes: Sistema de Red - Internet, Calentadores Solares, Planta Telefónica, Estufa Industrial, Lavadora y Camas. Los Misioneros de San Carlos Scalabrinianos en Guatemala, agradecemos profundamente a todos los miembros de la Congregación, Instituciones y Personas por la linda solidaridad brindada durante la ejecución de la obra. El testimonio de fe, entusiasmo y alegría por la misión motivaron a la verdadera solidaridad. El profetismo ablanda corazones y transforma consciencias. Una nueva etapa se abre en la historia de vida misionera de la Congregación. Nuevas fronteras y nuevos sueños tendrán que realizarse en un futuro cercano. Que Dios nos siga bendiciendo con soñadores y emprendedores de nuevos horizontes utópicos en un mundo masificado por la globalización. Muchas gracias a todos los compañeros que hicieron posible el proyecto. La experiencia nos hace caminar hacia nuevos sueños. Hasta la Vitoria Siempre. Cuenten con las oraciones de los Misioneros Scalabrinianos de Guatemala. El mundo anda de prisa y nosotros no podemos quedarnos mirando hacia el cielo. Que el Beato Scalabini siga bendiciendo nuestra congregación con más vocaciones. Un abrazo a todos.

Diciembre, 11 del 2007 P. Mauro Verzeletti, cs Por los Misioneros Scalabrinianos en Guatemala

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XII EDICION DEL PREMIO ITALIA EN EL MUNDO

Premio al trabajo y a la cultura italiana en el mundo, promovido por la fundación Italia.

El Misionero Scalabriniano Padre Flor Maria Rigoni, premio nacional de derechos humanos en México 2006 y actual director de la casa del migrante de Tapachula, Chiapas, recibirá hoy el distinguido galardón, por su labor altruista en favor de los migrantes. La redacción de JSF felicita de corazón a nuestro querido Co-hermano y agradece a la fundación Italia su amable gesto, hacia este distinguido hermano.

México, 4 Dic (Notimex).- El embajador de Italia en México, Felice Scauso, explicó en rueda de prensa que el premio es otorgado por la Fundación Italia y tiene entre sus objetivos promover un encuentro entre la cultura italiana y la de otros países.

La Fundación, expuso, premia a ocho personalidades en ámbitos tan diversos como el arte, la economía o la solidaridad. Antes de México, la entrega del galardón se ha hecho en Estados Unidos, Venezuela, Australia, Canadá, Brasil, Inglaterra, Argentina y Chile.

"Ahora tocó el turno de México para la entrega de los reconocimientos a figuras que tienen un vínculo con Italia", a quienes se entregará una placa de plata con la imagen de las manos de Miguel Angel.

Los premiados de esta edición serán el diputado Gerardo Buganza, presidente de la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores del H. Congreso de la Unión; la doctora Paola Carnevale, genetista; el académico Giulio Chiesa; la artista plástica Teresa Cito, el empresario Adalberto Cortesi, el periodista Antonio Curzio, el ensayista Sergio Pitol y el padre Fiorenzo Rigoni.

Respecto a la elección de los premiados, Conrado Prisco, presidente de la Fundación Italia, comentó que se realiza una consulta entre las instituciones italianas en el país donde se realiza, así como del sector cultural y el comité de la Fundación.

El premio lo han recibido personalidades como Luciano Pavarotti, Sophia Loren, Rudolph Giuliani, Franco Zeffirelli, Gilberto Gil, Oscar Niemeyer y Sergio Pininfarina, entre otros.

En todos los países del mundo, los italianos se han distinguido por su capacidad de integrarse con las comunidades que los hospedan y compartir con ellas sus experiencias y su conocimiento técnico, literario, artístico y empresarial, destacó Prisco.

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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR THE 94th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

(13 January 2008)

Young Migrants

The theme of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees invites us this year to reflect in particular on young migrants. As a matter of fact, the daily news often speaks about them. The vast globalization process underway around the world brings a need for mobility, which also induces many young people to emigrate and live far from their families and their countries. The result is that many times the young people endowed with the best intellectual resources leave their countries of origin, while in the countries that receive the migrants, laws are in force that make their actual insertion difficult. In fact, the phenomenon of emigration is becoming ever more widespread and includes a growing number of people from every social condition. Rightly, therefore, the public institutions, humanitarian organizations and also the Catholic Church are dedicating many of their resources to helping these people in difficulty.

For the young migrants, the problems of the so-called “difficulty of dual belonging” seem to be felt in a particular way: on the one hand, they feel a strong need to not lose their culture of origin, while on the other, the understandable desire emerges in them to be inserted organically into the society that receives them, but without this implying a complete assimilation and the resulting loss of their ancestral traditions. Among the young people, there are also girls who fall victim more easily to exploitation, moral forms of blackmail, and even abuses of all kinds. What can we say, then, about the adolescents, the unaccompanied minors that make up a category at risk among those who ask for asylum? These boys and girls often end up on the street abandoned to themselves and prey to unscrupulous exploiters who often transform them into the object of physical, moral and sexual violence.

Next, looking more closely at the sector of forced migrants, refugees and the victims of human trafficking, we unhappily find many children and adolescents too. On this subject it is impossible to remain silent before the distressing images of the great refugee camps present in different parts of the world. How can we not think that these little beings have come into the world with the same legitimate expectations of happiness as the others? And, at the same time, how can we not remember that childhood and adolescence are fundamentally important stages for the development of a man and a woman that require stability, serenity and security? These children and adolescents have only had as their life experience the permanent, compulsory “camps” where they are segregated, far from inhabited towns, with no possibility normally to attend school. How can they look to the future with confidence? While it is true that much is being done for them, even greater commitment is still needed to help them by creating suitable hospitality and formative structures.

Precisely from this perspective the question is raised of how to respond to the expectations of the young migrants? What can be done to help them? Of course, it is necessary to aim first of all at support for the family and schools. But how complex the situations are, and how numerous the difficulties these young people encounter in their family and school contexts! In families, the traditional roles that existed in the countries of origin have broken down, and a clash is often seen between parents still tied to their

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culture and children quickly acculturated in the new social contexts. Likewise, the difficulty should not be underestimated which the young people find in getting inserted into the educational course of study in force in the country where they are hosted. Therefore, the scholastic system itself should take their conditions into consideration and provide specific formative paths of integration for the immigrant boys and girls that are suited to their needs. The commitment will also be important to create a climate of mutual respect and dialogue among all the students in the classrooms based on the universal principles and values that are common to all cultures. Everyone’s commitment—teachers, families and students—will surely contribute to helping the young migrants to face in the best way possible the challenge of integration and offer them the possibility to acquire what can aid their human, cultural and professional formation. This holds even more for the young refugees for whom adequate programs will have to be prepared, both in the scholastic and the work contexts, in order to guarantee their preparation and provide the necessary bases for a correct insertion into the new social, cultural and professional world.

The Church looks with very particular attention at the world of migrants and asks those who have received a Christian formation in their countries of origin to make this heritage of faith and evangelical values bear fruit in order to offer a consistent witness in the different life contexts. Precisely in this regard, I invite the ecclesial host communities to welcome the young and very young people with their parents with sympathy, and to try to understand the vicissitudes of their lives and favor their insertion.

Then, among the migrants, as I wrote in last year’s Message, there is one category to consider in a special way: the students from other countries who because of their studies, are far from home. Their number is growing constantly: they are young people who need a specific pastoral care because they are not just students, like all the rest, but also temporary migrants. They often feel alone under the pressure of their studies and sometimes they are also constricted by economic difficulties. The Church, in her maternal concern, looks at them with affection and tries to put specific pastoral and social interventions into action that will take the great resources of their youth into consideration. It is necessary to help them find a way to open up to the dynamism of interculturality and be enriched in their contact with other students of different cultures and religions. For young Christians, this study and formation experience can be a useful area for the maturation of their faith, a stimulus to be open to the universalism that is a constitutive element of the Catholic Church.

Dear young migrants, prepare yourselves to build together your young peers a more just and fraternal society by fulfilling your duties scrupulously and seriously towards your families and the State. Be respectful of the laws and never let yourselves be carried away by hatred and violence. Try instead to be protagonists as of now of a world where understanding and solidarity, justice and peace will reign. To you, in particular, young believers, I ask you to profit from your period of studies to grow in knowledge and love of Christ. Jesus wants you to be his true friends, and for this it is necessary for you to cultivate a close relationship with Him constantly in prayer and docile listening to his Word. He wants you to be his witnesses, and for this it is necessary for you to be committed to living the Gospel courageously and expressing it in concrete acts of love of God and generous service to your brothers and sisters. The Church needs you too and is counting on your contribution. You can play a very providential role in the current context of evangelization. Coming from different cultures, but all united by belonging to

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the one Church of Christ, you can show that the Gospel is alive and suited to every situation; it is an old and ever new message. It is a word of hope and salvation for the people of all races and cultures, of all ages and eras.

To Mary, the Mother of all humanity, and to Joseph, her most chaste spouse, who were both refugees together with Jesus in Egypt, I entrust each one of you, your families, those who take care of the vast world of young migrants in various ways, the volunteers and pastoral workers that are by your side with their willingness and friendly support.

May the Lord always be close to you and your families so that together you can overcome the obstacles and the material and spiritual difficulties you encounter on your way. I accompany these wishes with a special Apostolic Blessing for each one of you and for those who are dear to you.

From the Vatican, October 18, 2007

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

MENSAJE DEL SANTO PADRE BENEDICTO XVI PARA LA JORNADA MUNDIAL DEL EMIGRANTE

Y EL REFUGIADO (13 de enero de 2008)

Los jóvenes migrantes

Queridos hermanos y hermanas:

El tema de la Jornada Mundial del Emigrante y el Refugiado invita este año a reflexionar en particular sobre los jóvenes migrantes. En efecto, las crónicas diarias hablan con frecuencia de ellos. El amplio proceso de globalización del mundo lleva consigo una necesidad de movilidad que impulsa también a muchos jóvenes a emigrar y a vivir lejos de sus familias y de sus propios países. Como consecuencia de esto, la juventud dotada de los mejores recursos intelectuales abandona a menudo los países de origen, mientras en los países que reciben a los migrantes rigen normas que dificultan su efectiva integración. De hecho, el fenómeno de la emigración va aumentando siempre más y abarca un gran número de personas de todas las condiciones sociales. Por consiguiente, con razón, las instituciones públicas, las organizaciones humanitarias y también la Iglesia católica dedican muchos de sus recursos para atender a estas personas en dificultad.

Los jóvenes migrantes son particularmente sensibles a la problemática constituida por la denominada “dificultad de la doble pertenencia”: por un lado, sienten vivamente la necesidad de no perder la cultura de origen, mientras, por el otro, surge en ellos el comprensible deseo de insertarse orgánicamente en la sociedad que los acoge, sin que esto, no obstante, implique una completa asimilación y la consiguiente pérdida de las tradiciones ancestrales. Entre esa juventud están las jóvenes, más fácilmente víctimas de la explotación, de chantajes morales e incluso de toda clase de abusos. ¿Qué decir de los adolescentes, de los menores no acompañados, que constituyen una categoría en peligro entre los que solicitan asilo? Estos chicos y chicas terminan con frecuencia

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en la calle, abandonados a sí mismos y víctimas de explotadores sin escrúpulos que, más de una vez, los transforman en objeto de violencia física, moral y sexual.

Si observamos más de cerca el sector de los migrantes forzosos, de los refugiados, de los prófugos y de las víctimas del tráfico de seres humanos, encontramos, desafortunadamente, muchos niños y adolescentes. A este respecto, es imposible callar ante las imágenes desgarradoras de los grandes campos de prófugos y de refugiados, presentes en distintas partes del mundo. ¿Cómo no pensar que esos pequeños seres han llegado al mundo con las mismas, legítimas esperanzas de felicidad que los otros? Y, al mismo tiempo, ¿cómo no recordar que la infancia y la adolescencia son fases de fundamental importancia para el desarrollo del hombre y de la mujer, y requieren estabilidad, serenidad y seguridad? Estos niños y adolescentes han tenido como única experiencia de vida los “campos” de permanencia obligatoria, donde se hallan segregados, lejos de los centros habitados y sin la posibilidad de ir normalmente a la escuela. ¿Cómo pueden mirar con confianza hacia su propio futuro? Es cierto que se está haciendo mucho por ellos, pero es verdad también que es necesario dedicarse aún más a ayudarles, mediante la creación de estructuras idóneas de acogida y de formación.

Desde esta perspectiva, precisamente, se plantea la siguiente pregunta: ¿cómo responder a las expectativas de los jóvenes migrantes? ¿Qué hacer para satisfacerlas? Desde luego, hay que contar, en primer lugar, con el apoyo de la familia y de la escuela. Pero, ¡cuán complejas son las situaciones, y numerosas las dificultades que encuentran estos jóvenes en sus contextos familiares y escolares! En las familias se han olvidado los papeles tradicionales que existían en los países de origen y se asiste con frecuencia a un choque entre los padres, que han permanecido anclados a la propia cultura, y los hijos, aculturados con gran rapidez en los nuevos contextos sociales. No hay que descuidar, sin embargo, el esfuerzo que los jóvenes deben realizar para insertarse en los itinerarios educativos vigentes en los países que los acogen. El mismo sistema escolar, por tanto, debería tener en cuenta su situación y prever, para los jóvenes inmigrados, caminos específicos formativos de integración, apropiados a sus necesidades. Será muy importante, también, tratar de crear en las aulas un clima de respeto recíproco y diálogo entre todos los alumnos, sobre la base de los principios y valores universales que son comunes a todas la culturas. El empeño de todos ─ docentes, familias y estudiantes ─ contribuirá, ciertamente, a ayudar a los jóvenes migrantes a afrontar del mejor modo posible el desafío de la integración y les dará la posibilidad de adquirir todo aquello que puede ser provechoso para su formación humana, cultural y profesional. Esto vale aún más para los jóvenes refugiados, para los que habrá que preparar programas adecuados, tanto en el ámbito escolar como en el del trabajo, con el objeto de garantizarles una preparación, proporcionándoles las bases necesarias para una correcta integración en el nuevo mundo social, cultural y profesional.

La Iglesia considera con especial atención el mundo de los migrantes y pide a los que han recibido en sus países de origen una formación cristiana que hagan fructificar ese patrimonio de fe y de valores evangélicos para que se pueda dar un testimonio coherente en los distintos contextos existenciales. Por esto, precisamente, invito a las comunidades eclesiales de llegada a que acojan cordialmente a los jóvenes y a los pequeños con sus padres, tratando de comprender sus vicisitudes y de favorecer su integración.

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Existe, además, entre los migrantes, como ya lo escribí en el Mensaje del año pasado, una categoría que se ha de tener especialmente en cuenta, a saber, la de los estudiantes de otros países que, por motivos de estudio se encuentran lejos de casa. Su número aumenta continuamente; son jóvenes que necesitan una pastoral específica porque no sólo son estudiantes, como todos, sino también migrantes temporales. A menudo se sienten solos, bajo la presión del estudio, y a veces oprimidos por las dificultades económicas. La Iglesia, con materna solicitud, los mira con afecto y procura realizar intervenciones específicas, pastorales y sociales, que tengan en cuenta los grandes recursos de su juventud. Es preciso, igualmente, ayudarles a abrirse al dinamismo de la dimensión intercultural, enriqueciéndose al estar en contacto con otros estudiantes de culturas y religiones distintas. Para los jóvenes cristianos, esta experiencia de estudio y de formación puede ser un campo útil para madurar su fe, estimulada a abrirse a ese universalismo que es elemento constitutivo de la Iglesia católica.

Queridos jóvenes migrantes: preparaos a construir, con vuestros coetáneos, una sociedad más justa y fraterna, cumpliendo escrupulosamente y con seriedad vuestros deberes con vuestras familias y con el Estado. Respetad las leyes y no os dejéis llevar nunca por el odio y la violencia. Procurad, más bien, ser protagonistas, desde ahora, de un mundo donde reinen la comprensión y la solidaridad, la justicia y la paz. En particular a vosotros, jóvenes creyentes, os pido que aprovechéis el tiempo de vuestros estudios para crecer en el conocimiento y en el amor a Cristo. Jesús quiere que seáis verdaderos amigos suyos y por esto es necesario que cultivéis constantemente una íntima relación con Él en la oración y en la dócil escucha de su Palabra. Él quiere que seáis sus testigos y por eso es preciso que os comprometáis a vivir con valor el Evangelio, traduciéndolo en gestos concretos de amor a Dios y de servicio generoso a los hermanos. La Iglesia también os necesita y cuenta con vuestra aportación. Podéis desarrollar una función providencial en el actual contexto de la evangelización. Originarios de culturas distintas, pero unidos todos por la pertenencia a la única Iglesia de Cristo, podéis mostrar que el Evangelio está vivo y es apropiado para cada situación; es un mensaje antiguo y siempre nuevo; Palabra de esperanza y de salvación para los hombres de todas las razas y culturas, de todas las edades y de todas las épocas.

A María, Madre de toda la humanidad, y a José, su castísimo esposo, ambos prófugos con Jesús en Egipto, les encomiendo cada uno de vosotros, vuestras familias, los que trabajan, de distintos modos, en vuestro amplio mundo de jóvenes migrantes, los voluntarios y los agentes de pastoral que os acompañan con su disponibilidad y su apoyo de amigos.

Que el Señor esté siempre cerca de vosotros y de vuestras familias, para que, juntos, podáis superar los obstáculos y las dificultades materiales y espirituales que encontráis en vuestro camino. Acompaño estos votos con una especial Bendición Apostólica para cada uno de vosotros y para las personas que os rodean.

Vaticano, 18 de octubre, 2007

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

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Homilía

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

12 Diciembre 2007

Cardenal Rogelio Mahony

Arzobispo de Los Angeles

(Lecturas: Eclesiástico 24, 23-31; Salmo 66; Gálata s 4, 4-7; Lucas 1, 39-48)

Queridos hermanos, estamos celebrando la gran fiesta de nuestra Madre de

Guadalupe, patrona de América y reina y señora de todos nosotros. Nos reunimos como

comunidad de fe con la certeza que ella se hace presente aquí como una atenta y

cuidadosa madre pendiente de sus hijos, especialmente aquellos que más necesitan

apoyo y cuidado.

En la primera lectura tomada del libro del Eclesiástico se nos describen las cualidades

de la vid, que hoy se aplican a las cualidades de una buena madre, en este caso

nuestra Madre del cielo. Para nosotros, ella es madre del amor, del temor, del

conocimiento y de la santa esperanza… Los que se dejen guiar por ella no pecarán y

los que la escuchen no tendrán de que avergonzarse.

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Gálatas, nos habla de la enorme

importancia de la colaboración de María en la historia de nuestra salvación. Su

disponibilidad hizo posible el más grande evento en la historia de la humanidad, unir el

cielo con la tierra al traer al mundo al Hijo de Dios hecho hombre. Y por este milagro,

darnos la posibilidad de llamar Padre a Dios. Los Galatas fueron bendecidos con esta

carta de San Pablo que les recuerda —y a nosotros por extensión— que no hay

verdadera libertad sin Jesús el hijo de María.

Y el Evangelio nos narra el encuentro de las primas, la madre de Juan el Bautista y la

Madre de nuestro Señor. En este encuentro humano, lleno de expresiones de cariño de

mutuo apoyo, se nos revela el misterio de la encarnación. María es testigo de las

acciones de Dios, es más en María se realiza el más grande milagro, el acontecimiento

más extraordinario de la historia, y por eso, ella hoy nos invita a darle gracias a Dios por

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este milagro. Con ella podemos decir: Mi alma glorifica al Señor y mi espíritu se llena de

alegría en Dios mi salvador, porque ha mirado a su pequeña esclava.

En todos estos textos encontramos palabras de aliento, de esperanza, de vida, palabras

que nos mueven a la acción. Nuestra comunidad católica necesita estas palabras de

consuelo de María para superar las serias dificultades que atraviesa. De manera

especial la comunidad inmigrante que es víctima de la actitud persecutoria de muchos

miembros de la sociedad, que ven en los inmigrantes, el chivo expiatorio a quien

pueden culpar de todos los problemas sociales. Los pobres y los débiles siempre han

sido los más susceptibles a estas actitudes de discriminación a lo largo de la historia.

Las redadas, y la división que esta situación genera en las familias, la inseguridad en el

trabajo, la falta de licencias para conducir, el estigma de ser y sentirse “ilegales”, sin

derechos, sin defensas, son injusticias que claman al cielo. El grito de los pobres se

vuelve a escuchar como en el Éxodo pidiendo la intervención de Dios.

El pueblo está sufriendo, el corazón de las personas, de las familias de la comunidad

eclesial está lastimado y no vemos la salida. Con María oramos a Dios para que esta

pesadilla se acabe y que veamos los cielos nuevos de una nueva situación muy pronto.

Confiamos en María quien con la seguridad de una madre nos dice que Dios va a

destronar a los poderosos de sus tronos y va a exaltar a los humildes.

No nos podemos quedar con los brazos cruzados, sino que debemos de seguir el

ejemplo de nuestra madre que salio de su casa a ayudar a su prima que le necesitaba.

Es por eso que hoy a nombre propio y al nombre de mis hermanos obispos de este país

y unidos a los obispos de México les exhorto a que nos comprometamos a continuar la

misión que la Morenita le dio a Juan Diego de construir una Iglesia, una comunidad, y

un Pueblo de Dios exigiendo una reforma legislativa de inmigración que resulte en:

• Visas temporales fácilmente disponibles para los que quieren trabajar;

• Mejorar la seguridad de la frontera y una capacitación superior para los guardias

fronterizos;

• Normas justas y equitativas y plazos de tiempo razonables para procesar las

solicitudes de los que buscan convertirse en residentes permanentes legales;

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• Normas compasivas y plazos de tiempo razonables para la reunificación de las

familias para los extranjeros que sean residentes legales y los ciudadanos

naturalizados;

• Requisitos razonables para que los residentes legales se convierten en

ciudadanos;

• Que se reconozca el impacto de la globalización y del libre comercio en las

pautas migratorias.

Estas propuestas no son populares pero tampoco fue la misión dada a Juan Diego. No

nos podemos dar por vencidos frente a los obstáculos que surgen en nuestros días.

Aunque muchos grupos utilizan el rechazo a los inmigrantes como bandera para ganar

adeptos, la Iglesia católica y todos los obispos juntos estamos comprometidos con su

causa. No tenemos miedo que nos sigan atacando por defender una causa justa. No es

la primera vez que vivimos la experiencia del ataque y la persecución. Pero sabemos

que la defensa de los inmigrantes es nuestra tarea prioritaria. Defendimos y

seguiremos defendiendo al pueblo inmigrante porque es la porción del pueblo de Dios

más débil. Lo afirmamos y no nos avergonzamos de hacerlo, como no nos

avergonzamos de reconocer en María la madre misionera de nuestra Iglesia en

Norteamérica.

Además, al hacerlo, retomamos la tradición de las Iglesias de Latinoamérica que a lo

largo de los últimos cinco siglos ha estado al lado del pueblo sencillo. Vienen a mi

mente la persecución contra la Iglesia en México. La sangre de los mártires como Santo

Toribio Romo hoy considerado por muchos el santo patrón de los inmigrantes, fue

derramada para defender la fe del pueblo, y para proclamar que Dios siempre está y

estará con los que defienden la verdad y la justicia.

Pero no olvidemos que María de Guadalupe es madre de todos, se apareció a un indio

honesto para que fuera su mensajero, pero Juan Diego tiene que presentarse al Obispo,

a Don Fray Juan de Zumarraga, porque la Virgen respeta y comprende la Misión del

obispo como pastor de la naciente Iglesia mesoamericana. El Obispo Zumarraga es el

encargado de construir el templo de la Virgen, no Juan Diego porque el templo va a ser

para todos, no sólo para los mexicanos. María quiere ser consuelo y ayuda para todas

las personas de todas las razas, a quien ella llama cariñosamente mis amadores. La

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imagen de María se aparece delante del obispo, y él, como obispo y como español la

reconoce como la Madre de Dios. En la narración de las apariciones no se nota ninguna

duda del obispo, porque desde su más profundo conocimiento de las cosas de Dios,

sabe que esa imagen será la bendición que traerá españoles y nativos a la misma mesa

de la comunión con Cristo y con el Padre en el Espíritu Santo.

La Iglesia de Los Ángeles le pide a María de Guadalupe que nos llene de su bendición

y que ella sea una vez más la imagen reconciliadora y sanadora que una en la misma

mesa a todas las culturas que viven y conviven en nuestra arquidiócesis. Siguiendo el

ejemplo del Obispo Zumarraga, yo su obispo los invito a que oremos a nuestra madre

de Guadalupe para que sea la tierna madre de todos que llene de esperanza, de salud,

de alegría, de fortaleza, de fe a todos los que viven y trabajan en Los Angeles

La ponemos como intercesora para que también acompañe y sane las heridas de

quienes se han sentido lastimados por la Iglesia, que cure y conforte a aquellos que

habiendo servido con amor a la Iglesia han visto confrontada su fe por las debilidades

de algunos de sus ministros. Nuestra madre de Guadalupe no nos abandonará en

nuestras peticiones.

Les pido que oremos también a nuestra Santa Madre de Guadalupe para que oriente a

nuestra comunidad arquidiocesana, de manera que seamos capaces de renovarnos,

para responder de una manera consciente y responsable a los retos nuevos, a los

problemas actuales. Que con disponibilidad e inteligencia implementemos las directrices

de nuestro Sínodo Arquidiocesano para que obispos, sacerdotes, religiosos, laicos

contribuyamos a la extensión del reino de Dios aquí en nuestra Iglesia local.

La Iglesia del Siglo XXI requiere de comunidades sólidas y estables, necesitamos paz y

estabilidad. Las dificultades de los últimos tiempos nos han dejado muchas enseñanzas

pero necesitamos tranquilidad. Le pedimos a María que así como ella fue consuelo y

guía en muchos momentos difíciles, como fue la conquista, la revolución en México o la

persecución religiosa que ella nos lleve por el camino seguro de Jesús.

¡Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Que viva Cristo

Rey!

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The Framing of Immigration

By George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson (c) 2006 The Rockridge Institute (We invite the free distribution of this piece)

On May 15th, in an address from the Oval Office, President Bush presented his proposal for "comprehensive immigration reform."

The term "immigration reform" evokes an issue-defining conceptual frame — The Immigration Problem Frame — a frame that imposes a structure on the current situation, defines a set of “problems” with that situation, and circumscribes the possibility for "solutions."

"Reform," when used in politics, indicates there is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed — take "medicare reform," "lobbying reform," "social security reform." The noun that's attached to reform — "immigration" — points to where the problem lies. Whatever noun is attached to “reform” becomes the locus of the problem and constrains what counts as a solution.

To illustrate, take "lobbying reform." In the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, "lobbying reform" was all the talk in the media and on Capitol Hill. The problem defined by this frame has to do with lobbyists. As a "lobbyist" problem, the solutions focused on Congressional rules regarding lobbyists. The debate centered around compensated meals, compensated trips, access by former Congressmen (who inevitably become lobbyists) to the floor of the Senate and House of representatives, lobbying disclosure, lobbyists' access to Congressional staff and the period of time between leaving the Congress and becoming a registered lobbyists.

Indeed, if the reform needed is "lobbying reform," these are reasonable solutions. But, the term "Congressional ethics reform" would have framed a problem of a much different nature, a problem with Congressmen. And it would allow very different reforms to count as solutions. After all, lobbyists are powerless if there's nobody to accept a free meal, fly on a private plane, play a round of golf in the Bahamas and, most importantly, accept the political contributions lobbyists raise on their behalf from special-interests with billions of dollars in business before the federal Government. A solution could, for example, have been Full Public Financing of Elections and free airtime for political candidates as part of the licensing of the public's airwaves to private corporations. The “lobbying reform” framing of the issue precluded such considerations from discussion, because they don't count as solutions to the “lobbying” problem. Issue-defining frames are powerful.

“Immigration reform” also evokes an issue-defining frame. Bush, in his speech, pointed out the problems that this frame defines. First, the Government has “not been in complete control of its borders.” Second, millions are able to “sneak across our border” seeking to make money. Finally, once here, illegal immigrants sometimes forge documents to get work, skirting labor laws, and deceiving employers who attempt to follow the law. They may take jobs away from legal immigrants and ordinary Americans, bear children who will be American citizens even in they are not, and use local services like schools and hospitals, which may cost a local government a great deal. This is his definition of the problem in the Immigration Reform frame.

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This definition of the problem focuses entirely on the immigrants and the administrative agencies charged with overseeing immigration law. The reason is that these are the only roles present in the Immigration Problem Frame.

Bush's “comprehensive solution” entirely concerns the immigrants, citizenship laws, and the border patrol. And, from the narrow problem identified by framing it as an “immigration problem,” Bush's solution is comprehensive. He has at least addressed everything that counts as a problem in the immigration frame.

But the real problem with the current situation runs broader and deeper. Consider the issue of Foreign Policy Reform, which focuses on two sub-issues:

. How has US foreign policy placed, or kept, in power oppressive governments which people are forced to flee?'

. What role have international trade agreements had in creating or exacerbating people's urge to flee their homelands? If capital is going to freely cross borders, should people and labor be able to do so as well, going where globalization takes the jobs?

Such a framing of the problem would lead to a solution involving the Secretary of State, conversations with Mexico and other Central American countries, and a close examination of the promises of NAFTA, CAFTA, the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank to raise standards of living around the globe. It would inject into the globalization debate a concern for the migration and displacement of people, not simply globalization's promise for profits. This is not addressed when the issue is defined as the “immigration problem.” Bush's “comprehensive solution” does not address any of these concerns. The immigration problem, in this light, is actually a globalization problem.

Perhaps the problem might be better understood as a humanitarian crisis. Can the mass migration and displacement of people from their homelands at a rate of 800,000 people a year be understood as anything else? Unknown numbers of people have died trekking through the extreme conditions of the Arizona and New Mexico desert. Towns are being depopulated and ways of life lost in rural Mexico. Fathers feel forced to leave their families in their best attempt to provide for their kids. Everyday, boatloads of people arrive on our shores after miserable journeys at sea in deplorable conditions.

As a humanitarian crisis, the solution could involve The UN or the Organization of American States. But these bodies do not have roles in the immigration frame, so they have no place in an “immigration debate.” Framing this as just an “immigration problem” prevents us from penetrating deeper into the issue.

The current situation can also be seen as a civil rights problem. The millions of people living here who crossed illegally are for most intents and purposes Americans. They work here. They pay taxes here. Their kids are in school here. They plan to raise their families here. For the most part, they are assimilated into the American system, but are forced to live underground and in the shadows because of their legal status. They are denied ordinary civil rights. The “immigration problem” framing overlooks their basic human dignity.

Perhaps most pointedly, the “immigration problem” frame blocks an understanding of this issue as a cheap labor issue. The undocumented immigrants allow employers to pay

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low wages, which in turn provide the cheap consumer goods we find at WalMart and McDonalds. They are part of a move towards the cheap lifestyle, where employers and consumers find any way they can to save a dollar, regardless of the human cost. Most of us partake in this cheap lifestyle, and as a consequence, we are all complicit in the current problematic situation. Business, Consumers and Government have turned a blind eye to the problem for so long because our entire economy is structured around subsistence wages. Americans won't do the work immigrants do not because they don't want to, but because they won't do it for such low pay. Since Bush was elected, corporate profits have doubled but there has been no increase in wages. This is really a wage problem. The workers who are being more productive are not getting paid for their increased productivity.

A solution to the “immigration problem” will not address these concerns because they are absent from the “immigration frame.”

Framing matters. The notion of this as “an immigration problem” needing “immigration reform” is not neutral.

Surface Framing

We now turn from conceptual framing of the current situation to the words used and surface frames those words evoke.

The Illegal Frame

The Illegal Frame is perhaps the most commonly used frame within the immigration debate. Journalists frequently refer to “illegal immigrants” as if it were a neutral term. But the illegal frame is highly structured. It frames the problem as one about the illegal act of crossing the border without papers. As a consequence, it fundamentally frames the problem as a legal one.

Think for a moment of a criminal. Chances are you thought about a robber, a murderer or a rapist. These are prototypical criminals, people who do harm to a person or their property. And prototypical criminals are assumed to be bad people.

“Illegal,” used as an adjective in “illegal immigrants” and “illegal aliens,” or simply as a noun in “illegals” defines the immigrants as criminals, as if they were inherently bad people. In conservative doctrine, those who break laws must be punished — or all law and order will break down. Failure to punish is immoral.

“Illegal alien” not only stresses criminality, but stresses otherness. As we are a nation of immigrants, we can at least empathize with immigrants, illegal or not. “Aliens,” in popular culture suggests nonhuman beings invading from outer space — completely foreign, not one of us, intent on taking over our land and our way of life by gradually insinuating themselves among us. Along these lines, the word “invasion” is used by the Minutemen and right-wing bloggers to discuss the wave of people crossing the border. Right-wing language experts intent on keep them out suggest using the world “aliens” whenever possible.

These are NOT neutral terms. Imagine calling businessmen who once cheated on their taxes “illegal businessmen.” Imagine calling people who have driven over the speed limit

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“illegal drivers.” Is Tom Delay an “illegal Republican?”

By defining them as criminal, it overlooks the immense contributions these immigrants subsequently make by working hard for low wages. This is work that should more than make up for crossing the border. Indeed, we should be expressing our gratitude.

Immigrants who cross outside of legal channels, though, are committing offenses of a much different nature than the prototypical criminal. Their intent is not to cause harm or to steal. More accurately, they are committing victimless technical offenses, which we normally consider “violations.” By invoking the illegal frame, the severity of their offense is inflated.

The illegal frame — particularly “illegal alien” — dehumanizes. It blocks the questions of: why are people coming to the US, often times at great personal risk? What service do they provide when they are here? Why do they feel it necessary to avoid legal channels? It boils the entire debate down to questions of legality.

And it also ignores the illegal acts of employers. The problem is not being called the Illegal Employer Problem, and employers are not called “illegals.”

The Security Frame

The logical response to the “wave” of “illegal immigration” becomes “border security.” The Government has a responsibility to provide security for its citizens from criminals and invaders. President Bush has asked to place the National Guard on the border to provide security. Indeed, he referred to “security” six times in his immigration speech.

Additionally, Congress recently appropriated money from the so-called “war on terror” for border security with Mexico. This should outrage the American public. How could Congress conflate the war on terror with illegal immigration? Terrorists come to destroy the American dream, immigrants — both documented and undocumented — come to live the American dream. But the conceptual move from illegal immigrant (criminal, evil), to border security to a front of the war on terror, an ever expanding war against evil in all places and all times wherever it is, is not far.

It is this understanding of the issue that also prompted the House to pass the punitive HR 4437, which includes a provision to make assisting illegal immigrants while they are here a felony. It is seen as aiding and abetting a criminal.

But how could this be a “security” issue? Security implies that there is a threat, and a threatened, and that the threatened needs protection. These immigrants are not a physical threat, they are a vital part of our economy and help America function. They don't want to shoot us or kill us or blow us up. They only want to weed our gardens, clean our houses, and cook our meals in search of the American Dream. They must be recognized as Americans making a vital impact and contribution. And when they are, we will cease to tolerate the substandard conditions in which they are forced to work and live. No American — indeed, no person — should be treated so brashly.

Amnesty

“Amnesty” also fits the Illegal Frame. Amnesty is a pardoning of an illegal action — a

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show of either benevolence or mercy by a supreme power. It implies that the fault lies with the immigrants, and it is a righteous act for the US Government to pardon them. This again blocks the reality that Government looks the other way, and Business has gone much further — it has been a full partner in creating the current situation. If amnesty is to be granted, it seems that amnesty should be given to the businesses who knowingly or unknowingly hired the immigrants and to the Government for turning a blind eye. But amnesty to these parties is not considered, because it's an “immigration problem.” Business has no role in this frame, and Government can't be given amnesty for not enforcing its own laws.

The Undocumented Worker Frame

By comparison, the term “undocumented worker” activates a conceptual frame that seems less accusatory and more compassionate than the “illegal” frame. But a closer look reveals fundamental problems with this framing.

First, the negative “undocumented” suggests that they should be documented - that there is something wrong with them if they are not. Second, “worker” suggests that their function in America is only to work, not to be educated, have families, form communities, have lives — and vote! This term was suggested by supporters of the immigrants as less noxious than illegal aliens, and it is, but it has serious limitations. It accepts the framing of immigrants as being here only to work.

Temporary Workers

“Undocumented workers” opened the door to Bush's new proposal for “temporary workers,” who come to America for a short time, work for low wages, do not vote, have few rights and services, and then go home so that a new wave of workers without rights, or the possibility of citizenship and voting, can come in.

This is thoroughly undemocratic and serves the financial and electoral interests of conservatives.

This term replaced “guest worker,” which was ridiculed. Imagine inviting some to dinner as a guest and then asking him to pick the vegetables, cook the dinner, and wash the dishes!

Frames Not Taken

Most of the framing initiative has been taken by conservatives. Progressives have so far abstained.

Progressives could well frame the situation as the Cheap Labor Issue or the Cheap Lifestyle Issue. Most corporations use the common economic metaphor of labor as a resource. There are two kinds of employees — the Assets (creative people and managers) and Resources (who are relatively unskilled, fungible, interchangeable). The American economy is structured to drive down the cost of resources - that is, the wages of low-skilled, replaceable workers.

Immigration increases the supply of such workers and helps to drive down wages. Cheap labor increases “productivity” and profits for employers, and it permits a cheap

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lifestyle for consumers who get low prices because of cheap labor. But these are not seen as “problems.” They are benefits. And people take these benefits for granted. They are not grateful to the immigrants who make them possible. Gratitude. The word is hardly ever spoken in the discourse over immigration.

Now consider the frame defined by the term “economic refugee.” A refugee is a person who has fled their homeland, due to political or social strife, and seeks asylum in another country. An economic refugee would extend this category (metaphorically, not legally, though it might be shifted legally in the future) to include people fleeing their homeland as a result of economic insecurity.

Refugees are worthy of compassion. We should accept them into our nation. All people are entitled to a stable political community where they have reasonable life prospects to lead a fulfilling life — this is the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To frame the debate this way is to advance a progressive understanding. While immigrants are here, they should be integrated into society either temporarily, if conditions improve in their home country, or permanently, if they can integrate and become productive members of our nation. It will focus solutions on US foreign policy to be about people, not profits. The only way the migration of people from the South to the North will stop is when conditions are improved there. As long as there is a pull to the North and a push from the South, people will find their way over, no matter how big, how long or how guarded a border fence is. (As an aside, who will build that fence if all the undocumented immigrants leave?) Increased security will force people to find ever more dangerous crossings, as has already happened, without slowing the flow of immigrants. More people will die unnecessarily.

Even if we could “protect” ourselves by sealing the border and preventing businesses from hiring undocumented immigrants by imposing hefty fines or prison sentences for violations, progressives should not be satisfied. This still leaves those yearning to flee their own countries in search of a better life in deplorable situations. The problem is not dealt with by making the United States a gated community.

While these refugees are here, they must be treated with dignity and respect. Indeed, if they cannot return home, we have a responsibility to welcome them into ours. And we must treat them as Americans, not as second-class citizens, as they are currently. If they are here, they work hard and contribute to society, they are worthy of a path to citizenship and the basic rights we are entitled to (a minimum wage, education, healthcare, a social safety net).

Currently, the undocumented immigrants living amongst us are un-enfranchised workers. They perform all the work, pay all the duties, and receive many fewer of the benefits — especially voting rights. They must be given an opportunity to come out of the shadows and lead normal lives as Americans.

The answer to this problem isn't an “open-border.” The United States cannot take on the world's problems on its own. Other affluent countries need to extend a humanitarian arm to peoples fleeing oppressive economic circumstances as well. How many immigrants the United States should be willing to accept will ultimately be up to Congress.

In presenting these alternative frames, we want to inject humanitarian concerns based in

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compassion and empathy into the debate. The problem is dealing adequately with a humanitarian crisis that extends well beyond the southern border. The focus must shift from the immigrants themselves and domestic policy to a broader view of why so many people flee, and how we can help alleviate conditions in Mexico and Central America to prevent the flow in the first place. Only by reframing of the debate can we incorporate more global considerations. Immigration crises only arise from global disparity.

Why It's Not a Single Issue

The wealth of frames in this debate has made it confusing. The frames within the debate have been divisive. But the absence of frames to counter the idea of the “immigration problem” has also been divisive. Since each frame presents a different component of the problem, it's worth noting who stresses which frames, and which problems that frame define.

Conservatives

The conservative views:

. Law and Order: The “illegal immigrants” are criminals, felons, and must be punished - rounded up and sent home. There should be no amnesty. Otherwise all law will break down.

. The Nativists: The immigrants are diluting our culture, our language, and our values.

. The Profiteers: We need cheap labor to keep our profits up and our cheap lifestyle in place.

. The Bean Counters: We can't afford to have illegal immigrants using our tax dollars on health, education, and other services.

. The Security Hounds: We need more border guards and a hi-tech wall to guarantee our security.

Progressives

. Progressivism Begins at Home: The immigrants are taking the jobs of American works and we have to protect our workers.

. African-American Protectionists: Hispanic immigrants are threatening African-American jobs.

. Provide a path to citizenship: The immigrants have earned citizenship with their hard work, their devotion to American values, and their contribution to our society.

. Foreign Policy Reformers: We need to pay attention to the causes that drive others from their homelands.

. Wage supports: Institute a serious earned income tax credit for Americans doing otherwise low-paying jobs, so that more Americans will want to do them and fewer immigrants will be drawn here.

. Illegal Employers: The way to protect American workers and slow immigration of unskilled workers is to prosecute employers of unskilled workers.

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We can see why this is such a complex problem and why there are so splits within both the conservative and progressive ranks.

Summing Up

The “immigration issue” is anything but. It is a complex melange of social, economic, cultural and security concerns — with conservatives and progressives split in different ways with different positions.

Framing the recent problem as an “immigration problem” pre-empts many of these considerations from entering the debate. As a consequence, any reform that “solves” the immigration problem is bound to be a patchwork solution addressing bits and pieces of much larger concerns. Bush's comprehensive reform is comprehensive, but only for the narrow set of problems defined in the “immigration debate.” It does not address many of the questions with which progressives should be primarily concerned, issues of basic experiential well-being and political rights.

Ultimately, the way the current immigration debate is going — focusing narrowly on domestic policy, executive agencies and the immigrants — we will be faced with the same problems 10 years from now. The same long lines of immigrants waiting for legal status will persist. Temporary workers will not return home after their visas have expired, and millions of undocumented people will live amongst us. Only by broadening the understanding of the situation will the problem, or, rather, the multiple problems, be addressed and adequately solved. The immigration problem does not sit in isolation from other problems, but is symptomatic of broader social and economic concerns. The framing of the “immigration problem” must not pre-empt us from debating and beginning to address these broader concerns.