Call for Prayer and Commitment on World Refugee Day
Episcopal News Service. June 22, 2004 [062204-2]
In observance of World Refugee Day, Richard Parkins, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, called the Church's attention to the plight of the nearly 12 million refugees and 23 million internally displaced persons in the world, and asked that prayers and intentions be directed on this ongoing humanitarian tragedy. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has called on nations around the world to devote the week of June 20 as a time to remember refugees and their quest for peace and safety as reflected in the theme for this year's observance--Coming Home.
Parkins noted that the 2003 World Refugee Survey, published by the US Committee for Refugees, estimates that there are at least 7.3 million refugees who have, for at least 10 years, resided in camps or other restrictive situations where their lives are put on hold. Parkins lamented that "the warehousing of refugees is not only a violation of human rights, but a casting aside of some of God's most vulnerable souls.
"This shameful situation should create a sense of moral outrage," Parkins added. "Yet these refugees are often on no one's screen, lack advocates, and frequently denied the basic necessities of life, not to speak of the array of rights to which they are entitled under the Geneva Convention on Refugees. Some bold initiatives are needed to reverse this dreadful situation."
Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee and immigration assistance arm of the Episcopal Church with resettlement offices in 26 dioceses, hosted colleagues at the Episcopal Church Center for a World Refugee Day gathering on June 21. Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold underscored the strong commitment of the Church to this ministry to the world's refugees.
The Rev. Dee Wellington Bright, a Liberian priest now serving at St. Peter's church in Springfield, MA, preached at the noonday Eucharist and later shared his family's experience of fleeing violence in Liberia and enduring painful separation until they were reunited in the US.
Mr. Roy Williams, a long time professional in the refugee resettlement and humanitarian assistance and development fields, is currently a faculty member at Columbia University. He shared comments focusing on the root causes of refugee crises. Willliams' involvement with refugees around the world was the basis for a longer range perspective on protracted refugee situations and how the root causes of refugee crises might be addressed.
Reflecting on the day's events, Parkins noted that, while devoting a day to considering the plight as well as the achievement of refugees is a good thing to do, "the real need is to infuse the Church and people of faith everywhere with a sense of urgency about committing more resources to solving the worldwide refugee crisis, and to remember how invisible these millions are unless we make their voices heard." Parkins also referenced the longstanding advocacy of the Church for a generous program of admitting refugees to the US where they can begin their lives anew, often with the support of parishes throughout the EMM network.
Refugees are essentially voiceless persons, he added. "World Refugee Day reminds us to give articulation to their needs and to insist that the warehousing of human beings is an unacceptable state of affairs."