Exsul Familia Nazarethana

[Genesis315]

Since the plight of migrants and refugees is a big issue these days, I thought it would be helpful to post an older papal document called Exsul Familia Nazarethana by Pope Pius XII in case anyone was unaware of it. The first half gives a nice history of the Catholic Church’s efforts with relation to migrants and refugees (including those from relevant regions today). It also lays out some important principles in this regard. While the focus is sometimes on pastoring Catholic migrants it also deals with refugees of any religion.

(the second half is more of a disciplinary text laying down norms for new curial offices, etc. since this became a huge issue during WWII).

Enjoy!

papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/p12exsul.htm

 

[BartholomewB]

Thank you for that link, Genesis315.

Excerpt:

*Equally noble were the vigorous ardent labors of bishops and priests who sought to bring to newcomers the blessings of the true Faith and to introduce them into the social customs of these new countries. They also facilitated the assimilation of the uncultured invaders whom they introduced both to the Christian religion and to a new culture. *

When Pius XII wrote those words in 1952, he could reasonably expect people to agree with him that facilitating the assimilation of newcomers and introducing them to the Christian faith were the right things to do. They were acts of kindness toward the new arrivals and, at the same time, would help to preserve the culture and values of the host country.

Will Pope Francis urge the Catholic faithful to adopt the same approach today? Will he confidently assert that the Church’s teaching on the subject remains as valid today as it was on the day Pius XII put his signature to Exsul Familia Nazarethana?

I wouldn’t bet on it.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

It is often pointed out that the U.S. Constitution is not a suicide pact. Similarly, no papal statement or document can possibly be interpreted in a way such that reasonable precautions, including politically incorrect ones, against those who, in the name of religion, advocate mass murder, can be considered morally problematic.