In a homily to mark the World Day for Migrants and Refugees which coincides with the Feast of Santo Niño, 19 January, the Bishop for Migrants, Bishop Patrick Lynch will call on the UK Government, in conjunction with other European Governments to “find a way in which countries within the E.U. can receive at least some of the refugees” from the civil war in Syria.
He will pray especially for “parents and children in Syria, Southern Sudan and throughout the world who are forced to leave their homes and their country because of violence, war or persecution” and on this special feast day for the Filipino community, he will remember those whose homes have been devastated by natural disasters and especially Typhoon Haiyan.
The Bishop with special responsibility for the care of migrants and refugees will highlight the enormous contribution migrants make to the Church and to society in England and Wales:
“We give thanks for the wonderful contribution that Filipino migrants and indeed migrants from many other countries have made to our parishes and schools, our hospitals and care homes and our local communities up and down the country.”
And together with Pope Francis, “pray for a conversion of attitudes towards migrants” so that the emphasis is not on the “errors of a few” but on the “honesty, the rectitude, the diligence and the goodness of the majority.”
Bishop Patrick Lynch will be celebrating Mass for the Feast of Santo Niño at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark on Sunday 19 January at 3pm.
You can download Bishop Lynch’s homily for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees by using the link in the top right-hand corner of this article.
You can listen to an audio soundbite on the plight of Syrian refugees by using the AudioBoo clip embedded to the right of this page.
The Feast of Santo Niño is a special feast day for the Filipino community. It is always celebrated on the third Sunday of January and is a day especially devoted to the Child Jesus.
Message from Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees
