Interview with Msgr. Francesco Montenegro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agrigento, on the occasion of the Pope's trip to Lampedusa
On the occasion of the pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the Sicilian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa, in the diocese of Agrigento, we put some questions to Msgr. Francesco Montenegro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agrigento, who a few weeks ago on the occasion of the ad limina visit of the Bishops of Sicily, gave the pope a cross made from the wood of the boats of migrants who have landed in Lampedusa. Bishop Montenegro says that he is «moved and delighted» by Pope Francis’ visit «to this periphery of the world, which always has been a crossroads of peoples and gateway to Europe on the Mediterranean shore».
1) Many foreigners risked danger in order to come in Italy, in search of a possibility for life, and they leave their loved ones, their family behind in their country of origin. This is a true agonizing uprooting…
This is the biggest wound, the psychological, moral and spiritual, break—the most lacerating one—, that leaves its mark throughout life: the separation from their homeland, from their affections and their families. This uprooting from affections and the family is a major cause of suffering and the reason why there are so many difficulties when it comes to their integration in the new context. People are injured in heart and soul, and they need the embrace of the community that receives them, in order to feel a part of this family.
2) What is the significance of the Pope's visit to Lampedusa, the island where the greatest number arrives from the countries of the southern Mediterranean, which is experiencing the drama of migration and, at the same time, is an example of solidarity?
The Pope's visit is a special grace for the Church of Agrigento and for the entire Christian community. His presence helps us to look at reality and history through the eyes of God. Pope Francis has said that life is best understood on the periphery, and it’s there that we must commit ourselves with the love of Christ. Lampedusa is the periphery of Europe. The presence of this Pope, who appears on the balcony of poverty to embrace the world, will help us to better understand the suffering of so many of God’s children and that migration is not an emergency, but an ordinary situation. This is an invitation to learn more about our communities, families, children, immigrants and emigrants, and also to go out, to open the horizons of our ability to give. The solidarity and fraternal hospitality of the people of Lampedusa, who are generous in the midst of so many difficulties, are an example of how we can be close next to each other and open our arms to make room for others in our hearts and in our lives.
3) The immigrant families are growing. How should our society and our culture adapt?
It’s not a problem of “adjustment.” Integration means sharing the richness of the life and culture that each person brings. Together, we must learn the way of cohabitating, one next the other, with one another and in conflict. People's needs are universal. By choosing Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit, Pope Francis is giving a strong message to the Church and to the world: we can no longer ignore the cries of pain of the so many children of God; it’s a matter of justice. His presence is a special gift that can help us understand how to bring Jesus get on our boat, making room for our shared life, because without him we’ll never be able to set our feet on the Promised Land. Jesus doesn’t abandon us and, with Him at our side, we are never alone.
4) There is a family pastoral care of migrants? What are the needs of these families?
Few of the desperate people who leave their native land and land in other lands take the risk of building a family. Someone of them bring family members or a part of the family, but most of the come here alone. Reunions are very difficult. Pastoral ministry has the task of listening to people's needs and meeting them. This means, then, helping them to find new roots in this land where they live, making their families lives together with other families, in a family feeling with the community. There is no such thing as ready-made family ministry. The pastoral care of the family resides in the handshake and the smile that you know how to give, and in making everyone feel that he/she deserves to be loved, in saying to an immigrant: I’m like them. Pastoral ministry implies approaching, with my heart in my hand, the sheep, especially those with the deepest wounds and the most fragile ones.
5) Immigration of women is increasing, also from Arab countries. What are the problems faced by the immigrant woman and how can their integration is encouraged?
Women always have a higher price to pay, greater difficulty to live in a world that always masculine. This is true for both immigrant women and for our women, the daughters of so-called civilized society. Many immigrant women are forced to make compromises in order to survive and they take a road of life that have to endure. Being a woman is a form of poverty, and sometimes a greater one. The struggle for the respect of women is a pastoral priority.
6) Children are the future, the hope and the realization of every sacrifice of those who leave their country of origin, thus losing a part of himself / herself. How the Church can cooperate with the civil institutions to care for the children, so that they feel fully like children who belong to the community that welcomes them and in which they grow?
The Church does its job, with the love and dedication of committed Christians, by providing numerous facilities of accommodation and training, “hand in hand”—in a positive sense—with the civil institutions, She helps children to become adults in the community . The Church is God's family. Each baby is the face of God, with a history as well as material and spiritual the needs. Each one should be helped to become person under the Heaven is for all.
