By Jennifer Kryszak, Director of Strategic Planning for the Franciscan Peace Center
“Once and for all, let us put an end to the irresponsible derision that would present this issue as something purely ecological, “green”, romantic, frequently subject to ridicule by economic interests. Let us finally admit that it is a human and social problem on any number of levels. For this reason, it calls for involvement on the part of all. In Conferences on the climate, the actions of groups negatively portrayed as “radicalized” tend to attract attention. But in reality they are filling a space left empty by society as a whole, which ought to exercise a healthy “pressure”, since every family ought to realize that the future of their children is at stake.” Francis, Laudate Deum, 58
“…the future of their children is at stake.” These words should invoke an emotional reaction from the reader. What is wrong with their future? What can I do to ensure that they will be well, can succeed, will thrive? The call to care for the next generation should impact our actions, our decisions, our daily life. Does it?
The answer to this question might depend on whose children we are discussing. If it is my children or the children of those I know, those to whom I am committed, then yes, I am committed. I will act to ensure their future. If it is the children of those “others,” then perhaps I am not committed. Perhaps I don’t want them to succeed, to survive. Perhaps I do not want them here.
Thoughts about children intersect with thoughts about national identity or boundaries as well as immigration and, if we know about it, human trafficking. Who are the children that we are seeking to protect? And, do our political commitments allow us to be concerned about all children? Or, do they encourage us to fear the children of the “others,” those whom we deem are not like us? As we move through an election year, these questions should cause us to ponder and reflect on how we understand ourselves and our commitments to valuing the dignity of the human person. If we live in fear of the other, we are likely to disregard, reject, or damage the dignity of the other.
The reality is that the future of my child is interrelated with the futures of all other children, no matter who those children are, where they are from, or what color their skin is. They are our future. The fear that should grip each of us is not one of “our” children versus “their” children, but the fear that there will be no future for them, no future to bequeath to the next generation.
How can we move past this “us” versus “them” mentality that prevents us from working for the flourishing of all creation? How can we truly listen to the other to know how to respond, to understand a person’s perspective, to clarify an aspect of reality, to grow together? Throughout Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, Pope Francis addresses the whole human community and calls all of us to a deeper recognition of our interconnection and interdependence with each other and all of creation. Even as he opens a section of Laudate Deum that addresses spiritual motivations for Catholics, Francis acknowledges the power within other faiths as well: “I encourage my brothers and sisters of other religions to do the same, since we know that authentic faith not only gives strength to the human heart, but also transforms life, transfigures our goals and sheds light on our relationships to others and with creation as a whole” ( 61). Francis proceeds to describe the scriptural foundation for ecospirituality, a deep recognition of our relation to God and all of creation (61-68). For me, it is this recognition of our interconnection and interrelatedness that should compel us to respond to the life, needs, and dignity of each human person as well as each part of creation.
Sometimes though, we need to change our hearts and minds in order to respond to this interrelatedness. Relationship can often be the source of this ongoing conversion. Meeting people, having conversations, opening one’s life to another enables us to be graced with the opportunity to see these connections and to grow in our love of all people.
Many organizations can also assist us in this learning. For example, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) “promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs.” CLINIC attends to the needs of immigrants as well as provides resources for our society to learn more about immigration issues and the lives of immigrants. Their CLINIC Daily is a newsletter that includes relevant articles about immigration that encourage the reader to develop a broad understanding of immigration, its causes, and the challenges that immigrants encounter. Their Neighbors, Not Strangers project offers stories of immigrants to encourage readers to better understand and value their immigrant neighbors.
Similarly, the Alliance to End Human Trafficking creates resources to educate the public about diverse forms of human trafficking and how our communities are affected. As their mission notes, “Alliance to End Human Trafficking (AEHT) is a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to eradicate human trafficking. We work to inform the public, prevent this assault on human dignity, and assist survivors to live fulfilling lives.” One of their current campaigns focuses on human trafficking and forced migration. Because of the vulnerability of immigrant populations, they are at a higher risk of human trafficking.
Learning more about others can enable us to open our hearts and minds to the experiences and lives of others. Recognizing the complex realities that impact people’s lives can encourage us to take action for all people. Our interrelation and interconnection can be a source of action to support and value all people and all of creation.
As we reflect today, let us question how we define “our children.” What are the limitations we have placed on the value of other human beings? How can we truly work for their flourishing and for the future of our world?
Learn more about the connections between forced migration and human trafficking in AEHT’s webinar “Forced Migration and the Threat of Human Trafficking.”
Read some stories from immigrants in the Neighbors, Not Strangers project.