FOR those of us concerned with people who seek protection from persecution and violence it has been an amazing fortnight. As little as two weeks ago the talk was still about turning boats back; links of terrorism with ethnic and religious identity; exporting our policy to Europe; the seductive dangers of compassion and attempts to ‘wedge’ political parties on the basis of their ‘softness’.
But the recent photographs and media on refugees in Europe, particularly Aylan Kurdi, the opening of Germany to refugees and the enthusiastic welcome offered them by ordinary people in Europe transformed the public debate from fear and loathing to compassion.
And now in Australia, people around have donated money to the people who seek protection, have demanded that Australia accept Syrian refugees, and they have, 12000 so far, and have asked to have them welcome in their own towns and parishes and communities.
This is an extraordinary change that, as Catholics, we can welcome and celebrate. But we must also share in this responsibility to re-settle our brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis has encouraged our engagement with the humanitarian effort. However, inspiring as this response might be, there are serious challenges. We need to cultivate shared values and respect for institutions that manage the common task.
People fleeing Syria and Iraq constitute a mass migration that, although not historically foreign, is fraught with problems. In Europe, we witness the response of different countries within the EU, everything from welcome (Germany) to bewilderment (Austria) to denial and rejection (Hungary). We must respond with generosity of spirit but we must also factor the need for vigilance and care in the processing and settlement of these families.