More than one million refugees and migrants have reached Europe by sea since the start of 2015, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says. More than 80% of the 1,000,573 people arrived in Greece, with the majority landing on Lesbos island, it said. About 844,000 travelled to Greece from nearby Turkey. Most of the others - over 150,000 - crossed the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy. The migrant crisis is Europe's worst since World War Two. Some 4000 of those died on the Mediterranian sea during last 12 months. The vast majority of those attempting this dangerous crossing are in need of international protection, fleeing war, violence and persecution in their country of origin. About 49% of those crossing the Mediterranean Sea are from Syria, with 21% coming from Afghanistan.
After the September 6th appeal of Pope Francis we can find 13 refugee related ANS news items (www.infoans.org). Salesians from Italy, Spain, Austria and Germany shared their response to these words of Francis: "I appeal to parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines across Europe to put the Gospel into practice by accommodating a family of refugees. This is to be a concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy. In the next few days the parishes in the Vatican will accommodate two refugee families."
Celebrating the Year of Mercy far from Europe in the East Asia - Oceania region we can also ponder on our response to the migrants or refugees in our own countries. Indeed the 'welcoming of refugees or migrants' as 'work of mercy' is already part of our attention towards the poor youth in many of our provinces:
We can find wonderful response to the domestic migration (from the provinces to the big cities) in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu), in Vietnam (Ho Chi Min City - Saigon), in Thailand (Bangkok) or in Hong Kong.
On the other side we find the confreres involved in this ministry: in Japan (migrant parishes or chaplainces), in Korea (Seoul archdiocesan center and related services), in Australia (refugees assisted in many of our presences).
As happens in Europe - to welcome, accept and accompany the 'stranger' with sometimes even of a different religion, brings us out of our comfort zone and meets also some resistance from people around us. But precisely there is the main point - we are invited and privileged to meet Jesus as our brother - refugee or migrant.
The Message of Pope Francis FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE 59th WORLD DAY OF PEACE entitled 'Overcome Indifference and Win Peace' (1st January 2016) helps us to enter the necessary Gospel dynamics.
Happy New Year 2016 - Happy the Year of Mercy!
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