Welcoming The Stranger Among Us Analysis

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B. Definition of Problems/Issues The title of the document Welcoming the Stranger among Us: Unity in Diversity, word by word, tells us four elements: the action, the subject, the reality, and the purpose (goal) in order to approach the issue of receiving immigrants in the Church. The document defines, “Unity in diversity is the vision that we bishops, as pastors of the Church in the United States, offer to our people as they welcome the new immigrants and refugees who come to our shores”. The document contextualizes the call to “conversion, communion, and solidarity” in Ecclesia in America as the way to pursue the vision of “unity in diversity” with a “new evangelization.” The spiritual reason for the unitary call is to imitate the trinitarian …show more content…

I would like to illustrate these calls by a “sandwiches model” (see picture) inspired from my reading of the WSAU.
Conversion means preparing the heart and identity. Pope John Paul II asks everyone to consider “the urgent need for a transformation of structures and a change of mentality...” because we have failed to carry out our baptismal vows and failed to practice hospitality toward others. In parishes, by not having appropriate pastoral plans for immigrants, we have not had a good welcoming practice. The WSAU has successfully identified problems of those who are not ready to welcome “the stranger.” First, nativism can be against “multiculturalism” and quickly want the process of the Catholic “Americanizers” toward new immigrants. The document reminds American Catholics that “their ancestors spoke different languages and worshiped in different ways not too long ago.” Second, competition for resources in multicultural parishes can be harmful to community life. Third, cultural fears prevent people from communicating and collaborating with each other for the sake of the multicultural community. The document emphasizes, “No culture is either permanent or perfect. All constantly need to be evangelized and uplifted by the good news of Jesus Christ.” Finally, the presence of new immigrants with their culture and language will cause major changes in pastoral programs of parishes. Thus, accepting and living with cultural pluralism, the Church requires “a profound conversion in spirit and in its

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