The Bishop of Malaga and Melilla, José Antonio Satué, has recalled the need to ensure that human rights are respected in the regulation of migratory flows that governments have “the right and obligation” to carry out.
During his second official visit to Melilla since taking office last September, the Bishop of Malaga referred to the respect for human rights in response to journalists’ questions about the new European migration and asylum pact and the concern of NGOs about the potential violation it could entail.
Right to emigrate
Monseñor Satué Huerto has also pointed out that people also have the right to migrate, “especially when they live in complicated situations.” “This is a task that corresponds to the authorities,” he added, noting that many organizations, the Church among them, along with other entities, have had a voice in that process.
Bishop of Malaga greets a girl in Melilla | Diocese of Malaga
In his view, the task that corresponds to the Church is, above all, to **”counteract that hate speech** that sometimes criminalizes the poor for being poor” and to try to make parishes places of welcome, not only for Catholic migrants, but also for those of other religions and cultures.
The bishop of Malaga and Melilla has said that he has **not seen that hate speech at all, but concern**, during his visit to the autonomous city, which began last Thursday and ends this Monday, and has highlighted the awareness-raising and welcoming work being done in catechesis, homilies, and schools.
The religious of the Divine Infant
In this regard, he has highlighted **the work carried out by the religious of the Divine Infant in Melilla** with the reception of unaccompanied foreign minors who arrive in the city, who offered him a representation of dance and which Bishop Satué has highlighted as the moment of greatest emotion of his trip to Melilla.
“It was a very exciting moment to see how those children have found a home there where they are given a channel to express that story that is sometimes very complicated and those traumas they carry. There **is an experience of unconditional love and attention**, which is the greatest gift we can give them and the one they give us,” he pointed out.
On the other hand, the bishop has admitted that in the Diocese of Malaga, dialogue with other religions other than Christian is very little developed, and he trusts that this communication will gradually grow, as there are many aspects in which they can collaborate.
In Melilla, where he pointed out that Christianity is no longer the majority religion in its population, he took advantage of the fact that this month begins the sacred month of Ramadan to send a message of brotherhood.
“Here they have a brother, **a brother in faith who is willing to dialogue and collaboration** on whatever is necessary and, above all, in the support of those most in need,” said Bishop Satué Huerto, who has announced that he will make his next visit in May to finalize issues addressed in this trip.
Among them, the **creation of a “small archpriestal structure” in Melilla**, the possibility of creating a youth pastoral team for all parishes, and the holding of an archpriestal assembly in the city.
**José Antonio Satué**, in Melilla | Diocese of Malaga
RD / EFE
English version translated with AI