Understanding

the Global
Refugee Crisis
and the Catholic Perspective
Christina Moriarty
SLA 150
S3 2020
 Who is a refugee?
 Forced to flee his or her country because of persecution,
war or violence

 Fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion,

nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular
social group 

 Right to safe asylum and not to be returned to possible

persecution in their country of origin
25.9 Million
The number of refugees in the world as of June 2019
 Refugees and Hosting Countries

Germany
1.1M Turkey
3.7M
Afghanistan
2.7M
Syria
6.7M
Pakistan
1.4M
Sudan
1.1M
South Sudan
2.3M
Uganda
1.2M

Hosting Refugees

Refugees Fleeing
“To ignore the needs of our
less fortunate neighbors,
whether out of selfish
motives or mere neglect, is
to frustrate the very
purpose of God in creating
the material world we
share.”3
 Three Basic Principles of Catholic
Social Teaching on Immigration
I. People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the
lives of their families.

II. A country has the right to regulate its borders and to control
immigration.

III. A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.
“As regards immigrants and refugees, building conditions of peace
means in practice being seriously committed to safeguarding first of all
the right not to emigrate, that is, the right to live in peace and dignity in
one’s own country…, the possibility to satisfy basic needs such as food,
health care, work, housing and education; the frustration of these needs
forces many into a position where their only option is to emigrate.
Equally, the right to emigrate exists. This right, Bl. John XXIII recalls in
the Encyclical Mater et Magistra, is based on the Place
universal destination of
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the goods of this world. It is obviously the task of Governments to

regulate the migratory flows with full respect for the dignity of the
persons and for their families’ needs, mindful of the requirements of the
host societies. In this regard, international agreements already exist to
protect would-be emigrants, as well as those who seek refuge or political
asylum in another country. There is always room to improve these
agreements.” 4
 Justice for Refugees

 Individual Justice

 Distributive Justice

 Social Justice
“If global solidarity is to have
real meaning beyond pleasant-
sounding phrases, then
Christians and all others must
commit themselves to concrete
measures to restructure the
world economy and provide
opportunities to the
disinherited, even where these
measures may entail
considerable sacrifices on the
part of the affluent.”3
 Human Rights and Dignity

 All people are created in the image of God

 Every person has the right to be treated with

dignity and respect

 Call for equal sharing of economic resources

The Rights of Refugees in the Islamic Tradition

 Obligation to flee from religious persecution

 Providing refuge is an act of justice

 Protection of life, religion, intellect, wealth,

and posterity
 Who is helping?

 Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis

 Islamic Relief Worldwide

 Catholic Relief Services

 Aid to the Church in Need

 Works Consulted
(1)“11 Things You May Not Know About Refugees.” Crs.Org, Catholic Relief
Services, www.crs.org/media-center/11-things-you-may-not-know-about-
refugees. Accessed 27 Feb. 2020.

(2) Fr. Betz, Thomas. “Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration and the Movement of
Peoples.” Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration and the Movement of
Peoples, www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and- dignity/immigration/
catholic-teaching-on-immigration-and-the-movement- of-peoples.cfm. Accessed
27 Feb. 2020.

(3) Massaro, Thomas. Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Franklin,
Wis: Sheed & Ward, 2000. Print.

(4) John Paul II. “Migration with a view to peace.” The Holy See, 15 Dec. 2003,
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/migration
/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20031223_world-migration-day-2004.html

(5) Maguire, Daniel C. On Moral Grounds: The Art/Science of Ethics. NY: Crossroad,
14 1991.
 Works Consulted con’t.
(6) “Support A Church-run Meal Service For Syrian Refugees And Other Needy
People In Lebanon.” churchinneed.org. Aid to the Church in Need, 2019. Web.
Accessed 27 Feb. 2020.

(7) Kidwai, Sadia Najma. “The Rights of Forced Migrants in Islam.” Islamic-Relief.Org,

Islamic Relief,www.islamic-relief.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/The-
Rights-of-Forced-Migrants-in-Islam.pdf. Accessed 27 Feb. 2020.

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