FOR THOSE WHO’VE COME ACROSS THE SEAS JUSTICE FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT © Australian Catholic Bishops Conference You may download, display, print or reproduce this material for personal or non-commercial use, as long as you acknowledge the copyright holders. All other rights to the material are retained by the original copyright holders. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

Pope Francis’ first journey as Pope was to the island of Lampedusa – the closest land for those fleeing North Africa. AFP Photo / Marcello Paternostro

He dropped a wreath in the sea to honour those who had perished.

These brothers and sisters of ours were trying to escape difficult situations to find some serenity and peace. These brothers and sisters of ours were trying to escape difficult situations to find some serenity and peace.

Has any one of us grieved for the death of these brothers and sisters? Has any one of us wept for these persons who were on the boat? Pope Francis Photo ‘it’s raining again’ by followtheseinstructions on flickr

This is the response of human beings. It is especially the response of those who profess to follow Jesus. Has it been the response of Australia – its people? - or its government? This is the response of human beings. It is especially the response of those who profess to follow Jesus. Has it been the response of Australia – its people? - or its government?

Today the panic and mistrust that is stirred up by this debate is out of all proportion to the scale of the issue in Australia. Today the panic and mistrust that is stirred up by this debate is out of all proportion to the scale of the issue in Australia. Source: Refugee Council of Australia Factsheet May 2012

to the call of the asylum seeker RESPONDING

In responding to these questions we are guided by Scripture and the social teaching of the Church.

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34

The values Jesus lived are reflected in the core of the Church's social teaching: human dignity option for the poor solidarity and the common good

All human beings are precious. We are sacred and deserve respect because we are human and loved by God. Photo ‘ Group of friends’ by CeeKay’s Pix on Flickr human dignity

Manus Island Detention Centre Photo ‘Manus Island Detention Centre’ by Sarah Hanson-Young on Flickr

EPA/Tolga Bozoglu

option for the poor

Our neighbours are not things: they are people like us, who share a common humanity. This is why Catholic social teaching insists on the importance of the relationships that bind us to one another and to our world. solidarity and the common good

AP Photo/UNRWA

UNHCR 2015 Global Trends – World at War

What is the true picture of peoples’ journeys? What is the true picture of peoples’ journeys? For many who are displaced there is no choice but to flee or perish. Photo by Ryan McGuire on Gratisography

Photo ‘Fleeing Kosovo’ by Cliff on Flickr Photo ‘Skate and riots’ by Sergio on Flickr

Photo ‘Fleeing Kibati’ by Julien Harneis on Flickr "Refugees on a boat" by Unknown - Defense Visual Information Center (Photo ID: N-TW ) Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

By DIAC images [CC BY 2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons AAP Image/Scott Fisher

AAP Image/NEWZULU/Michael Debets AP Photo/Cesare Abbate

Photo ‘Homeless’ by Jan Truter on Flickr Photo ‘311’ by jamesmellor on Flickr

response GLOBAL AND REGIONAL We are called to a new

As Christians, we can make sure we can make sure that Australians understand the issues better.

iStock/Svetlana Braun

St Vincent de Paul Catholic Social Services Jesuit Refugee Service Asylum Seeker centres Parish support groups Refugee Offices of Religious Orders Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Migrant and Refugee Chaplains … and many others.

"Harmony Day ( )" by DIAC images - Harmony DayUploaded by russavia. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Photo ‘For those who come across the seas - Refugee Action protest 27 July 2013 Melbourne’ by Takyer on Flickr

For those who’ve come across the seas

Jesus is coming tonight, he comes as a child, tender, innocent … Let us think about the children: the Child Jesus comes among us, it is the love and tenderness of God. May the Lord give us the grace to receive them with a lot of love. Pope Francis Jesus is coming tonight, he comes as a child, tender, innocent … Let us think about the children: the Child Jesus comes among us, it is the love and tenderness of God. May the Lord give us the grace to receive them with a lot of love. Pope Francis

To read more about welcoming refugees, pick up a copy of the Social Justice Statement

Pick up the leaflet Ten Steps towards justice for refugees and asylum seekers …for practical suggestions …for practical suggestionswww.acsjc.org.au

Acknowledgements: Helen Kearins rsm Sarah MacRaild Australian Catholic Social Justice Council