【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2015 年 9 月 9 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】 ─ 「我向你們各省會長作出緊急呼籲，你們在議會的協助下，決定你們每一個會省所能做的，以及你們可要求每個團體及堂區要做的，在我們的事業中要準備收容難民家庭。我們要特別關顧那些無依無靠的小孩及青年。我們也應收留一個四至五人的家庭。在地方教會及地區的合作下，每人作少許的付出，便能成就大事。」

總會長范達民神父有關難民潮緊急呼籲的信函：

致歐洲會省各省會長

親愛的省會長：

我們以三天的時間，與逾七千名青年，慶祝鮑思高誕辰二百周年，這實在是美妙的事，我特地向各位致以這份來自阿根廷由衷的問候。

星期日下午，副總會長謝利達神父 (Francesco Cereda) 告訴我，教宗方濟各在誦唸三鐘經時，提及歐洲的難民潮，呼籲我們以友愛、共融與好客之心，處理這個問題。我們一起討論這事，並認為現在是適當時候，做我們所能做的事。

數以千計的難民，因戰亂、災難、飢荒、迫害而逃往外地的慘劇事件，我們已知悉一段時間，而事件至近期最為嚴峻。他們落入人口販運者手中，冒著重大危險，越洋到達歐洲。

他們滿懷希望，追求和平與安靜，展開新生活，尋找居所與工作。他們雖不致遭人們拒絕，卻往往不受當地歡迎。面對他們的慘況，以及他們的需要，我們不能置諸不顧。

教宗方濟各在誦唸三鐘經時，向歐洲作出強烈呼籲：「在我們面對數以萬計悲慘的難民，逃離戰亂及飢荒的死亡威脅，懷著希望追尋新生活時，福音告訴我們，要成為最卑微及被遺棄者的鄰人，賦予他們真正的希望。單單對他們說：『鼓起勇氣，忍耐一下吧……』並不足夠。基督的希望 ─ 對教宗來說 ─ 是充滿鬥志的，人們以頑強的心，追求安隱的目的地。因此，在我們快將進入慈悲禧年時，我呼籲歐洲各堂區、修會團體、修道院及聖堂，實踐福音的教誨，收容難民家庭。這行動正是為回應慈悲禧年的準備工夫。每一堂區、每個修道團體、每座修道院、每座聖堂，從我的羅馬教區開始，都應收容一個家庭。我向歐洲的主教兄弟，作為真正的牧者，請求他們的教區，支持我這一份呼籲，緊記慈悲就是愛的另一說法：『凡你們對我這些最小兄弟中的一個所做的，就是對我做的』（瑪 25：40）。」

我也向你們各省會長作出緊急呼籲，你們在議會的協助下，決定你們每一個會省所能做的，以及你們可要求每個團體及堂區要做的，在我們的事業中要準備收容難民家庭。我們要特別關顧那些無依無靠的小孩及青年。我們也應收留一個四至五人的家庭。在地方教會及地區的合作下，每人作少許的付出，便能成就大事

我們剛結束鮑思高誕辰二百周年慶典。他教導我們要以具體行動作出回應。教宗方濟各於6月21日到訪華道角時提醒我們，他說：「感謝你們實際的行動……慈幼會士是實際的，看到問題，作出思考並會著手處理。」

我感謝你們出於一份愛德與福音友愛，回應天主的召叫及教宗方濟各的呼籲，我感謝你們的慷慨，動用一切可用的資源，謹代表這些教宗方濟各為之作出緊急及迫切呼籲的人，感謝你們。如各會省有什麼計劃，並開展了什麼具體而適時的行動，請讓我知道，我當致以萬分感激。

我以友愛之情擁抱你們

總會長范達民神父

Rector Major’s Letter to the Provincials of Europe on the refugee emergency

(ANS - RMG –Roma, 09 September 2015) –"I also appeal to you Provincials, to ask you with the urgency that you can determine, perhaps with your councils, what each province can do and what you can ask every community and parish to do, to be ready to accept migrant families in our works.  We pay particular attention to unaccompanied minors and young people. We should also host one family, four or five people.  With a little from everyone we can do a lot, in cooperation with local churches and the local area.”

We report here the letter sent to the Provincials of Europe by the Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, concerning the refugee emergency. 

DIREZIONE  GENERALE  OPERE  DON BOSCO

Via della Pisana 1111 -  00163 Roma

The Rector Major

Prot. 15/0385

For the attention of the Provincials

Provinces of EUROPE

My dear Provincials,

A cordial and affectionate greeting from Argentina, where for three days we have had a wonderful celebration for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, with more than seven thousand young people.

On Sunday afternoon my Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda, informed me of what Pope Francis said at the Angelus referring to immigrants in Europe and his call to fraternity, solidarity and hospitality. We talked together about it and I think it is an opportune time to offer whatever we can do on our part.

Certainly we have seen for some time, and most dramatically in recent days, the tragedy of refugees and immigrants in thousands fleeing their countries because of war, destruction, hunger and persecution. They arrive in Europe, risking serious danger as they cross the sea and being held to ransom by traffickers.

They come with the hope of finding peace and serenity, beginning a new life, and finding housing and employment.  Often they find conditions that are not welcoming, if not actual rejection. In the face of so much tragedy we cannot remain indifferent to their many needs.

At the Angelus Pope Francis Angelus made a strong appeal addressed to Europe:  “As we are faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from death by war and hunger, and now travelling in the hope of a new life, the Gospel calls us to be neighbours to the least and the abandoned and to give them real hope. It is not enough to say 'Courage, patience! ...'. Christian Hope - said the Pope - is combative, with the tenacity of people pursuing a safe destination. Therefore, as we draw near to the Jubilee of Mercy, I appeal to parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines throughout Europe to put the Gospel into practice and accommodate a family of refugees. This is to be a concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy. Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary in Europe should host a family, starting from my diocese of Rome. I turn to my brother Bishops of Europe, as true shepherds, to ask their dioceses to support this appeal of mine, remembering that Mercy is the second name of love: 'Whatever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do it to me'(Mt 25:40)."

I also appeal to you Provincials, to ask you with the urgency that you can determine, perhaps with your councils, what each province can do and what you can ask every community and parish to do, to be ready to accept migrant families in our works.  We pay particular attention to unaccompanied minors and young people. We should also host one family, four or five people.  With a little from everyone we can do a lot, in cooperation with local churches and the local area.

We have just concluded the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. He teaches us to be practical in our response. We were reminded of this by Pope Francis during his visit to Valdocco on 21 June last when he said:  "I thank you for your practical approach to things ... The Salesian is practical, sees the problem, thinks about it and takes it in hand."

In the name of charity and evangelical fraternity, as a response to God's call and the cry of Pope Francis, I thank you for the generosity with which you will mobilize all possible resources on behalf of those for whom he addresses this urgent and pressing appeal. I would also be grateful if you let me know what has been decided in every province, when you arrive at practical and timely action.

A fraternal and affectionate embrace

P. Ángel Fernández A., SDB