South Africa: Head of the Scalabrinians visits South Africa.

Sheila Pires – South Africa.

During his visit, Fr Chiarello had the opportunity to learn about the pastoral care of refugees and migrants in South Africa, particularly in the Archdioceses of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Collaboration with the local Church

Fr. Chiarello met with Scalabrinian religious men and women and visited the Scalabrinian centres, shelters and parishes in Johannesburg and Cape Town. He also met with Archbishops Buti Tlhagale and Stephen Brislin of Johannesburg and Cape Town, respectively. Fr Chiarello expressed his gratitude to the Bishops of  South Africa, in general, for their initiatives and remarkable commitment to caring for migrants and refugees. The Bishops, in turn, thanked the commitment and dedication of the Scalabrinian missionaries for their service to the Church and society.

Protect, promote and integrate

Later, Fr. Chiarello assured the local Church of the Scalabrinians’ continued commitment to their apostolate in South Africa and also to working with seafarers.

According to Superior General, the challenges of present-day migrants are the same everywhere. There is still more that needs to be done to prevent xenophobia and discrimination against migrants and refugees not only in South Africa but throughout the world.

The solution should always be for the Church and other actors to work together to welcome, protect, promote and integrate arriving migrants, emphasised Fr Chiarello.