Juan Bautista

Centro de Pastoral Migratoria

Casa Scalabrini-migratory pastoral center: a project to promote and care for migrants in Mexico City

 

Migration, without a doubt, is one of the social phenomena that characterize our time. As never before, we are shocked to read, see or hear news that narrates the dramas of children, young people, men and women of productive age who flee desperately from their places of origin practically to save their lives. The images of migrants projected by the media are like a blow to our conscience. However, it is necessary to move from shock to action.

THE CURRENT MIGRATION IN THE CITIES OF THE CENTER OF MEXICO

For a long time it was considered that migration in Mexico was a phenomenon that was limited to the borders and some regions that traditionally sent migrants to the United States. In recent times, the inhabitants of different cities in the center of the country, where the train passes, such as Queretaro, Aguascalientes, Irapuato, Guadalajara and Tepic (to name a few), have witnessed the efforts of many Central Americans who are looking for “new routes “They try to get through” the beast “to the northern border of Mexico with the hope of being able to cross into the United States.

Although in these cities it has become common to see people with backpacks and blankets on the back, and often with a copy of some document that proves their identity, they appeal to the solidarity of the citizens to continue their journey towards the border; most of the people who cross through Mexico in the hope of reaching the United States do not become visible for fear of being deported. In many cases, those who want to make sure they arrive safely at their destination pay someone to “guide” them to avoid police and mafias. These migrants who prefer to go unnoticed, on some occasions, become visible when they are betrayed by their “guides” and remain unprotected: disappointed and vulnerable. Migration and its dynamics are complex,

Migration is a consequence, among many others, of the structural conditions of poverty, exclusion and vulnerability experienced by underdeveloped regions of the world. Since the last decade of the twentieth century, the neoliberal economic-political model; characterized by the free mobility of goods and financial resources, and the restriction of the mobility of people; it has generated the concentration of wealth and opportunities in a few hands and in few regions of the world. Given the lack of opportunities to live with dignity in their places of origin, the scarcity of jobs and social and school exclusion; migration becomes a strategy to seek better life opportunities, which are mainly used by young people, men and women, in a productive age, as well as children and adolescents, that in some cases they are inserted within the phenomenon of minors in street situation. At present, it is a challenge for governments, for civil society and for the Church, to protect migrants who, due to their condition and circumstances, are more vulnerable and exposed to being victims of abuse, mistreatment and discrimination.

RESPONSES OF THE CHURCH TO THE NEEDS OF MIGRANTS

Since the end of the 19th century, when the exodus intensified, mainly, though not exclusively, of European migrants to the Americas, the Catholic Church has taken care to protect and comprehensively address the needs of migrants in their places of origin. , transit and destination. One of the main precursors of the pastoral attention of the Church to the needs of migrants was Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, who is known as “the Father of Migrants”. He committed himself to raising awareness among the different actors of society and the Church of his time regarding the specific needs of migrants, promoted the political debate and proposed concrete proposals for action that encompassed the migratory phenomenon in all its dimensions: social, economic, cultural and religious.

Heirs of the Scalabrinian tradition, the missionaries of San Carlos – Scalabrinians comprehensively serve the human, social and religious needs of migrants and promote their dignity and rights in the countries where we are present. In Guadalajara since 1980, we have a house of formation for young people who wish to consecrate their lives, as religious missionaries or Scalabrinian laity, at the service of the Gospel, of the Church and of migrants. Given the new circumstances of migrants in this city, we want to contribute both to raising awareness among the different actors of society and the Church about the needs of migrants and the integral attention of migrants who are more exposed to being victims of abuse and mistreatment.

PROJECT “CASA SCALABRINI- CENTRO DE PASTORAL MIGRATORIA”, IN GUADALAJARA

Although in the last four years, as a result of the increase of migrants traveling in “the beast”, the organizations that provide humanitarian aid have multiplied in the city of Guadalajara, it is mainly directed to those who are passing by. Those who can not continue on their way remain without assistance. The reasons why they interrupt the trip are diverse: health problems, having been a victim of abuse and rape, or living situations of risk that require prolonged and professional accompaniment.

For this reason, since a few months, the “Scalabrini House” – Migratory Pastoral Center, sponsored by the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, AC and a member of the Red Casas del Migrante Scalabrini – has emerged in Guadalajara. This new mission has the support of the “Scalabrini International Migration Network” (SIMN), a non-governmental organization that brings together more than 250 works of the Congregation of the Missionaries of San Carlos – Scalabrinians who serve and promote the dignity of migrants worldwide.

Our services are directed to every migrant person, without distinction of sex, nationality, religion and socio-political condition, which presents some difficulty that prevents him from continuing his journey. The access of migrants to the services of Casa Scalabrini will be through the referral of governmental institutions and civil society with which we will coordinate for an adequate help according to our admission criteria. The particularity of our Institution is given by providing a comprehensive care to the person who needs professional support and a prudential time of assistance to get back on track. All attention is completely free. We are in continuity with the pastoral model of the Red Casas del Migrante Scalabrini, and in tune with our origins and the charism of our founder, Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, father of migrants. The characteristic of our intervention is specific, integral and permanent, and that is why the number of migrants assisted simultaneously will be limited to the capacity of the house.

Likewise, we wish that from its offices the Scalabrini House-Migratory Pastoral Center progressively develop some activities with the aim of influencing, sensitizing and raising awareness in the Church, governments and society in general about the migratory phenomenon, creating a culture of respect and solidarity towards the migrant population, through an organic and integral migration pastoral in and from the migratory phenomenon.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

We thank all the people and institutions that have relied on our experience and intuition in the service of migrants. We hope that this project, which is still in its initial stage, can contribute to meet the needs of the most vulnerable migrants who travel through the metropolitan area of ​​Guadalajara and need comprehensive, free and specific attention. We also hope to contribute, from our faith in Christ, the Lord who shows his compassion to those who feel alone and unprotected, to a better understanding of the migratory phenomenon and to the promotion of the rights and dignity of migrants.