Filipino Ministry in Europe

27-31 August 2007, Marianella Redemptorist Retreat Center, Dublin, Ireland

Statement

We, the Filipino Chaplains and Pastoral Workers representing the different Migrant Filipino Communities in Europe (8 countries: Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Norway, Switzerland plus Israel, Lebanon), together with the Chairman and the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (ECMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), gathered for the 7th Regional Consultation Meeting on the Filipino Ministry in Europe in the Retreat Center of the Redemptorist, Marianella, Dublin, Ireland from 27th to 31st August 2007.  The meeting focused on the theme: “Filipinos and their families, contributors to European Church and Society”.

The Message of Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, reminded us that our Filipino migrants in Europe “…are called to be the new and youthful witness of that very Faith which your country received from Europe so many generations ago” (John Paul II, Homily at the Holy Mass on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Pontifical Philippine College, 17 May 1987).  The same message states that “the Filipinos and Filipinas in Europe are not just arms, not only labor force, ...being reunited with their children, they give witness to the importance of the family, a value that Europe has somehow lost, or at least neglected”.  From the sharing of our experiences in ministering to the Filipino migrants and their families, and the testimonies of two families that were invited in the meeting, we strongly affirm that, indeed, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “the migrant family is in a special way a resource as long as it is respected as such” (Angelus on the occasion of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 14 Jan. 2007) and that the primary value of the family that our Filipino migrants demonstrate is an essential part of their witnessing to the Faith and is their significant contribution to the European Church and Society.

Certain representatives from the Philippine government and that of Ireland who deal directly with migrants were invited to the meeting to inform the assembly on important matters concerning migrants.  Clarifications were done on several issues, especially those relating to the education of the children of migrants, particularly in Ireland.

The presence of the Most. Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, at the concluding Eucharistic celebration was an assuring gesture of the receiving Church’s caring and welcoming attitude toward the Filipino migrants.  He expressed his appreciation for the Filipino migrants who have “injected” freshness and vitality into the faith life of his archdiocese. 

The participating chaplaincies reported on the situation of their ministry among the Filipino migrants.  It was good to learn of the numerous effective programs being implemented for the migrants.  The sufferings and pains of our migrants were also presented, challenging the pastoral workers to serve them with greater dedication.

The sharing of experiences, information and prayerful reflections brought us to the following realizations:

1. That migrants are a valuable human resource for both Church and society and as such deserve a corresponding acceptance and humane treatment by everyone including the migrants themselves.
2. That it is common for Filipino migrants to be supporting their own family with them (spouse and children) and the family they have left behind (parents, siblings and other relatives).   While they sometimes feel burdened by the demands of their families back home, they nonetheless work long hours to meet these demands—a fact which hampers the practice of their faith, or even threatens their own economic security.
3. That the Filipino migrants with their families continue to witness to their faith through active, lively and vibrant liturgical celebrations, apostolic works, charitable services, and other activities which often call for sacrifices.
4. That there is an ever-pressing need for migrant families to lead their children to integrate to the new culture without losing the good Filipino culture, traditions and values.
5. That there is an urgent desire and a sacrificing effort in the Filipino migrant families to stay together and remain united.
6. That migrants need proper education and on-going formation on the importance of the Sacrament of Matrimony and its corresponding documentation.
7. That there is a need to strengthen the organization of our ministry through the active participation of lay leaders among the migrants, to broaden our linkages with other migrant cause-oriented groups, and to increase migration advocacy programs.

With the above realizations, we renew our commitment to the ministry among the Filipino migrants and their families and we propose the following:

1. Heighten awareness in the receiving Church and society and among the migrants themselves of their valuable presence and contribution in these institutions.
2.  Ensure sustained value formation which will enable migrants to understand their material and economic gains in the right perspective of an authentic Christian development.
3.  Involve more migrant families in meaningful liturgical celebrations, apostolic and social services, and deepen their understanding of these activities through a renewed prayer life.
4. Continue family education and formation programs on Filipino culture and values to ensure a well-balanced integration of the second generation with the Filipino way of life.
5. Organize and support activities and programs that will bring families together, like Family Day, Family Visitation and others.
6. Strengthen the Catechesis on the Sacraments and provide assistance for their proper documentation.
7. Establish a stronger organization among Chaplaincies and other organizations working for the care of migrants and the promotion and protection of their rights with an eye towards eventually creating an international organization of Filipino chaplaincies.
8. Establish an effective communication network (website) among ourselves.

Finally, we turn to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who also experienced the migrant’s life, and learn from them the love they have for each other and their faith and trust in the heavenly Father which kept them united and strong in their life’s journey.

We implore the Divine Assistance for all the Filipino migrants and their families, and for all the pastoral workers ministering unto them.