Abstract

ZAMUDIO GRAVE, Patricia E.. On a Mission for Migrants: Christian Values and Welcoming the Stranger. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2019, vol.40, n.157, pp.53-84. ISSN 2448-7554.  https://doi.org/10.24901/rehs.v40i57.341.

This article presents reflections on the processes of the formation and modification of the Catholic pastoral services that attend to migrants in Mexico when church workers take on the evangelical mission of delivering them a message of charity, justice and welcome. These workers begin their labors by providing humanitarian aid, but soon find themselves compelled to respond to the challenges that arise from the increasing violence directed against migrants. In response to these challenges, they broaden the spectrum of services they provide and intensify their commitment to defend their human rights. The principles and values of the Social Doctrine of the Church (SDC) form the foundation of their decisions and activities, but also entail dilemmas and challenges. This article draws from a review of the literature on civil society organizations and documents pertaining to the SDC, complemented by the author’s own long-term experiences of participant observation.

Keywords : Migration; Christian values; good news; hospitality; pastoral units.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )