Catholic Masses

  • Search for Mass Times
  • Catholic Faith Articles
    • News Briefs
    • Catholic Church
    • Vatican News
    • Catholic Gift Ideas
  • Online Masses
    • Daily Catholic Mass Online
      • Daily TV Mass from Toronto
      • EWTN Daily Mass
      • CTVN Daily Mass
      • Sunday Mass by the Passionists
      • Daily Mass (In Spanish)
  • Pray with Us
Home Test page Bishops call for solidarity with migrants on the Polish border

Bishops call for solidarity with migrants on the Polish border

By Lisa Zengarini

As the migrant crisis escalates on the border between Poland and Belarus, Polish bishops are calling on the faithful to show solidarity to migrants and refugees who have managed to enter the country. “Regardless of the circumstances of their arrival, they certainly need our spiritual and material support “, wrote the president of the Polish bishops, Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki. He announced that the Polish Church will hold a special collection on Sunday 21 November, saying the humanitarian situation in the region is “serious.”

Thousands of migrants and refugees since August

Poland has been facing a major emergency since last August, when thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa started to flow into the country, as well as into Lithuania and Latvia, from neighbouring Belarus. According to Polish authorities, there have been more than 30,000 illegal attempts so far.

Minsk government behind the flow

The Polish government, along with the European Union, has accused Minsk of encouraging the massive flow as a form of “hybrid warfare” in retaliation for Western sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenko’s government for his brutal crackdown against pro-democracy protests. Lukashenko, who won a sixth term in a disputed presidential election in August 2020 and is supported by Russia, has repeatedly denied the accusations.

Poland’s crackdown on migrants

In response to the crisis, Poland has built a razor-wire fence, deployed additional troops, border guards and police along its eastern border, and is cracking down on migrants attempting to enter the country. The border guards have been pushing migrants back across the border, including families with children, thanks also to a new Polish law that makes that legal. Polish lawmakers have also approved recently the construction of a €347 million anti-migrant wall.

Human rights groups, however, have criticised both Poland and Belarus for their harsh treatment of migrants and refugees, who face cold weather and a lack of food and medical care. At least seven people have died so far trying to make their way into the country. Other people are also reported to have died on the Belarusian side.

Bishops’ call for solidarity and prayer

While upholding Warsaw’s stance on the issue and Poland’s right to protect its borders, the Catholic Church in Poland continues to provide relief work for the migrants and actively advocates for the respect of their basic human rights, through its Caritas network and the Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office of the Bishops’ Conference of Poland (KEP).

In his message, Archbishop Gądecki calls on the faithful and all people of goodwill to support this effort by contributing to the special collection of November 21, recalling that the Church’s primary mission is the proclamation of the Gospel which calls for solidarity with the most vulnerable. The funds, he explained, will help the Church’s humanitarian activities that aim to meet the growing needs of the migrants during the crisis,  as well as its efforts, in the long term, to promote the integration of refugees who decide to stay in Poland.

In conclusion, the President of the Polish Bishops invited Catholics to pray for peace on Poland’s eastern border.

Vatican News

Nov 9, 2021CatholicMasses

Share this post:

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on EmailShare on LinkedIn
Charles de Foucauld to become a saint on 15 MayPope Francis prays for Iraqi PM after assassination attempt
You Might Also Like
 
Exorcisms and the popes: Stories from inside the Vatican
 
Pope appoints new Bishop for Buffalo, USA

You must be logged in to post a comment. - Log in

CatholicMasses
9 months ago Catholic News, Vatican, Vatican NewsCatholic News, Vatican, Vatican News11
Find Mass Schedules Near You

CatholicMasses.org allows you to search for Catholic Churches to find Mass times near you!

This unique feature helps while traveling.  Now along with Mass times, schedules and Catholic news you can also watch daily Catholic Mass online with your friends.

Try our free resource to “find Roman Catholic Churches near me” today!

St Alphonsus Liguori praised the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the best way to Honor God.  Join us as we celebrate Mass daily from various parishes around the world, online and offline, and please visit daily to pray with us as we recite the Rosary, offer daily scripture, readings, devotions and Catholic focused news. We bring you daily Catholic Mass from various parishes around the world and Catholic news.

Today’s Mass
Daily Mass Videos
  • Catholic Chicago
  • CatholicTVNetwork Daily Mass
  • Daily Mass from Toronto Canada
  • ETWN Daily Mass
  • Eucaristia en Vivo – Spanish Daily Mass
  • General Catholic Videos
  • Live video from Lourdes France
  • Masses from the Ascension Priests
  • Misa Hoy (en español)
  • National Shrine
  • News from a Catholic Perspective
  • News from CFN
  • Pope Francis and Vatican News
  • Rosary
  • Sunday Mass by the Passionists
What’s New
  • Sr Mary-Joy: From farm to firefighting to pony centre
  • State Ballot Initiatives on Abortion (Aug. 13)
  • Rejecting the “low-bar Thomism” of revisionist moral theologians
  • Globe Theatre’s new spin on ‘non-binary’ Joan of Arc detracts from her heroism and dignity, Catholics say
  • US Bishops Offer Sympathy and Support After Albuquerque Murders
About

Providing up to date online access to information exclusively about Catholicism.

Visit our site map | Privacy Policy | About Us Page.

Streaming Catholic Mass Online

Watch Catholic Mass Online Today.

Find Churches Nearby
Email-Subscription

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and event postings.

2019 © Catholic Mass Search - Search Catholic Churches and find Mass times while traveling.
Privacy Policy | About Us Page.
Truemag theme by StrictThemes
Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!