Church still bringing hope for migrants at Venezuelan border
Vatican news
As thousands of Venezuelans emigrate due to poverty or violence, the Church continues its mission by accompanying and bringing hope to those on the move.
By Sr. Katleho Khang, SNJM
Human mobility due to migration is one of the most important social phenomena of the 21st century. This reality is true in Venezuela, where thousands of people are leaving the country in search of better livelihoods or to escape imminent dangers.
Emigration has impacted families and communities, leading to increased poverty, despair and anxiety about the future.
According to a 2023 report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the estimated number of international migrants has increased steadily over the past 50 years.
The current situation in Venezuela has had a significant impact on migration flows in Latin America and continues to constitute one of the largest displacement and migration crises in the world.
As of June 2021, some 5.6 million Venezuelans have left the country, of which around 4.6 million have settled in another country in Latin America and the Caribbean.
As of June 2021, some 5.6 million Venezuelans have left the country
The Church's response
In response to this phenomenon, the Catholic Church has continued to serve as a sign of hope through more than 412 Caritas offices in various parishes. These offices provide legal assistance, child nutrition, and services to pregnant migrants.
In an interview with Vatican News, Venezuelan-born Father Eduardo Soto Parra, SJ, director of graduate studies at the Catholic University of Táchira (UCAT), provided insight into the Church's efforts to actively respond to the situation.
Church-run institutions offer high-quality educational opportunities, experiences that promote basic solidarity, as well as youth and spiritual accompaniment, even in the most vulnerable sectors, and even sharing territory with irregular armed groups in the neighboring country.
“We continue to discern how we want to live this period,” Father Eduardo said. “We want to transmit above all to families fractured or diminished by the effects of Venezuelan migration. » He said the Church continues to transmit the faith while raising hope that a new way of living is possible.
Every month, Br. Eduardo organizes community visits, group prayers and social media awareness activities to involve young people and offers workshops on non-violent communication, culture of peace and management in times of crisis. crisis.
As Fr. Eduardo's response points out, the Church seeks to embody a humanity inspired by the person of Jesus of Nazareth, whose incarnation and resurrection demonstrate that God will never abandon his people in their struggles for a life worthy.
Members of the Ignatian Apostolic Network
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