Church's definite stand against racism

"Racism is a structural sin diametrically opposed to our creation as equals, all in the image of our Creator." The Church in Malta made this statement in the Diocesan Synod Document Diaconìa and Justice. It is taken textually from this official policy document published two years ago.

The Synod deals with the presence of refugees and immigrants among us Maltese. "The presence of refugees and immigrants among us is a recent phenomenon, which is often leading us to manifestations of racism... During the last few years we have been witnessing a large movement of people who are victims of conflicts and other human tragedies of our times. Some of these people reach our shores. The millions of refugees, of whom those in Malta are a small fraction, are witnesses to the extensive lack of justice all over the world."

The Synod recognises the fact that the Maltese know how to treat visitors to our country with due hospitality, and should therefore have the same attitude towards "people whose ethnic background and religion are totally different to ours, and who probably arrive on our shores just with memories of an ugly past in a distant country which had no future for them".

The Synod document recognises the help that these people receive from various sources in our country. One will note that the Church is itself very much involved in this assistance, as is normally the case with different categories of people who are suffering. It has been so for a considerable number of years, starting with the pioneering efforts of the Emigrants' Commission of the local Church.

The Plan of the Archdiocese for 2005-2006, Journeying Together in the Light of the Lord, specifically mentions projects covered by the Secretariat for Emigration, the Jesuit Refugee Service, as well as voluntary groups and religious congregations, such as the Good Shepherd Sisters. These projects include action to sensitise people on the dignity of refugees and immigrants, their accommodation in Church property, as well as provision to them of legal and other professional support.

All these points are being put into practice, through the indefatigable commitment of the Church. In fact, the Report on the Implementation of the Pastoral Plan, which has just been published, makes the action of the Church in this regard unmistakably clear. At present 367 refugees and people in refugee-like situations are living in various Church houses. Many others are continually assisted by Church groups and movements.

The Synod document Diakonìa and Justice also deals with the exploitation of refugees and immigrants by certain people due to their different colour and culture. Such exploitation may take different forms. The document states: "The presence of the 'new poor' among us is a challenge to us to practice what we profess as the preferential option for the poor. We must give particular importance to activities that resist the structures of sin: the cause of so much injustice and poverty both in our society and on the international level."

At this point the Synod explains that racism is a category of sin that contradicts the creation of all human beings as being equally the image of the Creator. While explaining the different forms that racism may take it states: "Instead of appreciating other peoples and cultural diversity, we are sometimes so tied to our outlook on humanity that we despise foreigners among us as well as the manifestation of other cultures. At times this may lead to verbal abuse and psychological pressure. At the tragic extreme, there may also be threats and physical violence."

The Synod did not just mention the problem, but also gave indications as to how it was to be dealt with. The document explains that racism can only be overcome "by early and fundamental education in the values of love, tolerance, pluralism, and the appreciation of other religions and cultures. Christians have an important role to play in giving example of dialogue with persons and institutions which are helping in the integration of foreigners and refugees into our community."

This policy document - which, being a Diocesan Synod document, is the highest expression of a local Church - was published and presented to media representatives in November 2003. The same issue featured prominently in another publication on Social Issues in the Diocesan Synod Documents, presented to the media in September 2004. Archbishop Mercieca emphasised the same point in February 2005. It is indeed ironic that some correspondents, who ignored the pro-active stand of the Church in Malta at the time, now call on the Church to speak out against racism!

One hopes that Maltese Christians and other people of good will follow this clear direction that the Church in Malta has given, by word and deed, regarding racism.

The documents of the Diocesan Synod are online on www.sinodu.org.mt.