Horrible dramas proceed to happen within the Mediterranean area. People flee their properties and drown throughout the harmful crossing to Europe. Pope Francis has repeatedly identified the struggling of refugees.
This begins on the routes in Africa, for instance when individuals are tortured and enslaved in reception camps in North Africa. According to the Pope, the drama of the refugees takes place earlier than they go away. “The Mediterranean is a cemetery, but it’s not the biggest cemetery. The biggest cemetery is North Africa. It’s terrible. That’s why I’m going to Marseille.”
Interreligious initiative
Bishops, representatives of various religions and, above all, many younger individuals from round 30 international locations meet in France’s second largest metropolis. They all dwell within the Mediterranean area, all of them face comparable challenges – akin to migration.
The port metropolis of Marseille is synonymous with immigration; nearly all of its roughly 870,000 residents have international roots. Muslims, Jews, Christians and even Buddhists dwell collectively in very small areas. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline is archbishop there. According to Aveline, the concept was that the Pope may meet with the non secular leaders.
There has been an initiative in Marseille since 1990 known as Marseille Espérance, i.e. “Marseille Hope”. Representatives of all main religions come collectively on this initiative. In the face of poverty, drug trafficking and brutal crime, they wish to preserve dialogue. “Mediterranean. Mosaic of Hope” can be the motto of the multi-day convention wherein the Pope will participate.
Environmental issues are additionally in focus
In addition to migration, the individuals of the Mediterranean area face many different challenges, akin to environmental issues, says Aveline. The Mediterranean is already severely affected and can proceed to be so sooner or later.
So far, such extreme issues haven’t been recognized within the Mediterranean area. “The environmental issues are not just climatic issues. They are also about access to water, for example,” mentioned Aveline.
“Tackling the challenge of migration together”
The issues needs to be addressed collectively. After conferences in Bari and Florence, that is the third convention as a part of these so-called Mediterranean conferences. Community is essential to the Pope, particularly in relation to migration.
During the Angelus prayer final Sunday, he emphasised that this was not a straightforward problem. You see that within the news today. But the problem should be addressed collectively. “It is essential for the future of everyone and it will only be good if it is built on brotherhood, putting human dignity, specific people, especially those most in need, first,” mentioned the 86-year-old Argentine.
Meeting with Macron
In Marseille, Francis can even meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. Its authorities is more and more taking a harder method in direction of irregular migrants, and France’s border controls with Italy have been strengthened.
It is predicted that the Pope will focus much more on the destiny of refugees. He desires to commemorate the migrants who drowned within the sea on the monument to the victims and heroes of the ocean within the harbor entrance. It is a transparent sign to Europe.
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Source: www.nationalturk.com
