Archbishop of Sydney

Refugee Sunday

By + George Pell
ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY
19 August 2001

We should spare a few thoughts for refugees, genuine refugees fleeing from oppression or poverty. It is also an opportune time to reflect on that conspicuous feature of today's world, mobility.

Social commentators predict that the movement of people from place to place will continue to be one of the main characteristics of the new era of globalisation. It is already confronting a number of countries with serious problems; in Europe and U.S.A. the problem is worse than here.

Many of us have gone through the experience of at least temporary migration.

As a student, a spent seven years in Italy and England a happy years, but also involving the pain of extended separation from home, family and friends.

Such experiences give most of us only a hint about the nature of the much more agonising uprootings undergone by the millions of people who are forced by persecution or other circumstances into seeking a better life for themselves and their children far from their native lands.

All participants in debates about policies on immigration and the admission or treatment of asylum-seekers need to make the effort to imagine themselves in the situation of those who are looking for a new homeland. The idea that a significant number of these are motivated by greed or selfishness is certainly open to challenge.

a suspect that most asylum-seekers arriving here by whatever means have already endured much more hardship in their lives than many of us are ever likely to face. True empathy and compassion are required, even at the risk of being dismissed as a "bleeding heart".

On Refugee Sunday, churchgoers will be reminded that the members of the Holy Family itself became asylum-seeking refugees, when they fled to Egypt from Herod's persecution.

They are also taught to value the essential dignity of every human person and to recognise that the earth's goods are intended for the benefit of everyone, so that all can participate fully and freely in the community's life.

These principles are the basis of any criticism the Churches may have about the policies governing the arrival, announced or unannounced, of newcomers to Australia and their subsequent treatment.

Many of us consider, for example, that the mandatory detention of asylum-seekers in hot isolated places, apparently favoured at present by both sides of politics, is not a good or wise policy, especially for women and children.

We know that there have been physical confrontations and riots by some prisoners. Such disturbances provide no warrant for any maltreatment by guards and the allegations by inmates of such maltreatment should be investigated.

While acknowledging the need for control of immigration, we are concerned by the evidence that the extended detention of suffering people, including children, is contributing to the serious health problems of many detainees. It is also detracting from the good reputation that Australia has enjoyed internationally.

a support calls for a thorough investigation or review of the detention centre system. There has to be room for improvement.