Timorese SWP workers in Australia Photo: DFAT/Flickr CC BY 2.0
It is appropriate that the UN International Migrants Day comes during the season of Advent (December 18, 2024). During Advent, we are reminded that God is with us. "Come, O Come Immanuel", we sing and pray. Just this week, in one of the readings at Mass, the prophet Isaiah says God is "like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms and bringing them to his breast" (Isaiah 40:11). God is with each of us as a 'full-time carer'.
Pope Francis told us that the movement of people worldwide shows that God journeys with His people (World Day of Migrants and Refugees, September 29, 2024). He notes that throughout Biblical history, God always travelled with the poor and marginalised. In today's world, we can easily see that migrants and refugees are often categorized into these groups, and due to their status and newness in their host country, they can frequently be denied their human rights, dignity, and hope.
International Migrants Day broadens the concept of the 'migrant' or 'refugee.' For the UN, a 'migrant' includes those who migrate permanently or temporarily, skilled labour or seasonal workers, seafarers, international students, and those who flee their own country out of poverty or fear for their lives.
Considering God travels with His people, we are especially called to make space for all migrants and refugees. They are the 'Jesus' we welcome each year at Christmas, and making space means welcoming them, valuing the gifts they bring to our society, and assisting them when their human rights are breached.
During my time in North Asia, many migrant workers came to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. They provided labour that was no longer available in those countries. In so doing, they were and still are a vital part of the economies and cultures of those countries. Columban priests, lay missionaries, and co-workers also ministered to these migrant workers. They provided pastoral care, advocacy to obtain their workers' rights, support when they were sick, and inclusion in the country of their work.
On the other hand, many Columbans accompanied emigrants from Korea, China, the Philippines, South America, and the Pacific when they left their home countries for new host countries. These Columbans walked with the people as God does, moving with people on the move because this comes naturally to missionaries specializing in intercultural missions. It is important to note here that the mission with migrants and refugees has been reaffirmed and prioritized by the Columban General Assembly held in Lima (Peru) earlier this year.
As mentioned above, the United Nations and the Church recognize seafarers as 'itinerant workers' in the category of migrants. Consequently, a Columban named Fr. Tony Cox was appointed the National Director of Stella Maris, which is the Catholic Church's outreach to seafarers. Fr. Tony continues this spirit of walking with God's people by ministering to those at sea.
The First Nations people have lived in this country for thousands of years. However, Australia has drastically changed over the last two centuries due to colonisation and migration, with Australia now hosting migrant and seasonal workers.
Last July, I attended a workshop on seasonal workers with the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) and six seasonal workers from Timor Leste, who ACRATH employee Carla Chung invited to speak of their experiences.
One of the seasonal workers shared his experience of working in Australia. He explained how he works in a market garden, picking broccoli and lettuce. Work begins incredibly early in the morning for him, and during winter, it is very cold and frosty, which is challenging when one is accustomed to a warmer and more tropical climate. He explained that his pay is sometimes financially unviable because he does not receive the minimum hours contractually required to support himself, his wife, and their first child, who she gave birth to one day after he left home.
Amidst the joy of a new arrival, one can only imagine his sadness at not having yet cradled his firstborn. This story gave the workshop focus and provided the human face of seasonal workers. Their presence that day saved the workshop from becoming just a word-fest, and I admired this man and his companions. If the working conditions are good, their stay here benefits them and their family. At the same time, when working conditions exploit their time and work effort, this impacts their livelihood negatively. I finished the workshop with a heartfelt sense of gratitude for the vital link he and the other workers provide in our Australian food chain system.
In conclusion, as we celebrate Christmas, I hope that this season's Good Will may lead us to respect, include and be grateful for migrants and seasonal workers. May we offer a hearty welcome to any of them we meet and invite them to a seat at our table this Christmas, remembering that our faith tradition provides an example through the Nativity story. There is no doubt that Mary and Joseph would understand the situation of many refugees in Australia since they also had to flee Israel for Egypt when persecuted after the birth of Jesus. May we see migrants and refugees as companion pilgrims on a journey rather than as strangers to be passed over. In this way, we share the peace and joy of Advent, where God's loving salvation entered the world through the birth of Christ.
Columban Fr Kelvin Barrett lives in Melbourne.
Related links
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