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Volume 26 No. 1 | Autumn 2016
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Sufferings of Syrian refugees “unthinkable”
says SVD General Mission Secretary
The conflict in Syria has led to the greatest refugee and
humanitarian crisis since World War II, with more than
4 million displaced people pouring into neighbouring
countries and European nations, all seeking safety and hope.
Australia has also agreed to permanently resettle 12,000
Syrian refugees and New Zealand will take 600 refugees.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees says
the vast majority of refugees are pouring into Syria’s
neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and
Jordan, as well as Turkey, but about 10 per cent of Syrian
refugees have managed to make their way to Europe,
where they are seeking asylum in countries like Germany,
Hungary and Austria.
Fr Lazar Stanislaus SVD, the General Mission Secretary
for the Society of the Divine Word, says the SVD is doing
what it can to help the refugees.
“In Europe, everyone is aware of the unfolding stories of
refugees,” he says.
“Every day, thousands enter into Europe, mainly from
Syria, but also others from other parts of the world.
“The sufferings of these refugees in Europe are
unthinkable and the future is unknown to them.”
Fr Lazar says that while caring for migrants and refugees
has long been a priority for the SVD, in more recent times,
Pope Francis has also made a strong appeal for Catholics
to accommodate the refugees and show hospitality and
mercy.
“Our Congregation initiated ministries to immigrants in
every province a long time back,” Fr Lazar says. “In each
province, confreres are specially working for them in
various ways and thus our attention to these marginalised
people is our charism and special concern.”
Fr Lazar says that in Austria, refugees have been
accommodated in the SVD’s St Gabriel Mission House for
several years.
“Now, with the recent crisis, they are finding ways to
accommodate more people,” he says.
“St Augustine Mission House in Germany has given
accommodation to some refugees now and they will be
taking more in the coming months. Similarly, many of our
houses are willing to accommodate the refugees.
“European provinces’ administration and JPIC
coordinators are working in various ways to show the
refugees hospitality and also find ways and means to
show them a good future to live in dignity and peace.
“In the intercultural society where the local people and
the refugees live together, the challenge is to accept and
respect each other and to live harmoniously in peace.”