Giovanni Graziano Tassello, Dossier: Migrazioni e teologia. Sviluppi recenti / Migration and Theology: Current Trends, pp. 258-470

Giovanni Graziano Tassello, Introduzione / Introduction, pp. 258-264

Lorenzo Prencipe, La religione dei migranti: tra ripiegamenti ghettizzanti e possibilità di nuova coesione sociale / The religion of migrants: between ghettoizing withdrawals and the possibility of a new social cohesion, pp. 265-290

What is the role religion takes today in the process of integration within societies that are increasingly plural from a cultural and religious viewpoint? In the current post-secular era, characterized by the rejection of the notion of modernization linked to the end of religious beliefs, it is acceptable the idea that the plurality of religions must be accorded a space in the public debate, that the policies of integration must not ignore the religion of migrants, and that all this must happen in the mutual respect of the autonomy of state and religion. The management of diversity requires a lay state that assures equal respect to all religious faiths. Instead of an indifferent neutrality of a state that ignores religion and hopes that with the disappearance of religious diversity disappear also the difficulties related to the integration of migrants, it is appropriate to re-think laicity not as a religion-less dimension, but as a vital space in which believers and non-believers, in an attitude of respect toward their own convictions and motivations, could discuss and seek together, without abuses of power and discriminations, the foundational aspects of social cohesion and convivence, the pursuit and protection of the common good.

Anna Fumagalli, Leggere la Bibbia nel contesto migratorio / Reading the Bible in the context of migrations, pp. 291-316

Taking the bibliographical survey Migrazioni e scienze teologiche published in 2009 by the CSERPE of Basilea as a reference point and limiting the research to the last 15 years, this study aims at exploring the journey covered by biblical studies in analyzing the theme of the stranger and other themes related to the experience of migration. After having gone through the bibliographical review to give a general idea of the commitment expressed in the biblical field regarding these themes and having recalled some essential methodological notes for a contextual reading of the Bible, the essay gets to the heart of the matter underlining the liveliness of the biblical witness. Some windows on the bibliographical review or on some more significant publications might urge a supplement of reflection, suggest paths for in-depth analysis or simply intrigue the reader.

Gioacchino Campese, «Non sei più straniera, né ospite». La teologia delle migrazioni nel XXI secolo / «No longer stranger and alien». Theology of migrations in the XXI century, pp. 317-345

At the beginning of the third millennium theologians have begun showing some serious interest in the issue of migration and, therefore, it can be said, paraphrasing Ephesians 2,19, that the reflection on migrations is «no longer stranger and alien» in the theological field. This essay takes the reader on a bibliographical journey that starts with the recognition of some of the factors that have caused the most recent development of this relatively new theological “flow”, that finds its origins in the early 70s. It briefly presents the first attempts at a theology of migration at the end of the XX century that have been a prelude to the numerous congresses that have been organized around the world on this theme in the first decade of the XXI century, events that can be considered a milestone in this field because they have given a fundamental contribution to the identification and elaboration of the methods and major themes of a theology (or theologies) of migration. The article discusses local and pan-ethnic theologies that have dealt with the phenomenon of migrations and the key themes that have characterized the theologies of migrations until now. It then offers a brief assessment of the importance of what has been done in this field and some insights on the long journey that this relatively young discipline has still to do.

Graziano Battistella, I contributi dell’etica alla gestione delle migrazioni / The contributions of ethics to the management of migration, pp. 346-376

In the vast literature on migration, the contributions from an ethical perspective are comparatively few. A surge in the writings on migration and ethics occurred in the 1970s, parallel to the globalization of migration and the increase in irregular migration around the world which were beginning in those years. The investigation of ethics applied to migration concerns three areas: the right to migrate, the treatment of migrants and the norms for a peaceful coexistence in societies increasingly pluralistic. Most of the attention of ethicists concentrated on the first issue, the right to migrate, with the typical divergence between liberal egalitarians and communitarians.

Among moral theologians, contributions on this issue are even fewer. They approach migration from the perspective of the social teaching of the Church. Therefore, most writings insist on the need to respect the rights of migrant and their human dignity. Because of the catholic nature of the Church, its defense of the right to migrate has wider implications, although the Church concedes that the State has the right to regulate migration movements. Recently, the reflection has taken new directions: on the one hand, the attempt to find a foundation to the ethics of migration; on the other hand, the linking of migration to the increasing interest in global justice.

Gaetano Parolin, Quale missione con i migranti? / What Mission with Migrants?, pp. 377-408

The essay argues that mission with migrants can be defined as the new paradigm for the mission of the Church in the world. The analysis is based on the hermeneutical categories of recognition and otherness. According to the new theological understanding, mission is first and foremost the mission of God (missio Dei) and describes His ecstatic attitude of being for and in relation with. To recognize the otherness of mission means to share in the mission of God, which is the mystery of His loving presence through the Holy Spirit, that we welcome as a gift and approach in humble gratitude. Therefore, mission is the same Christian identity conceived as grateful recognition of, relation with, migration to, encounter of, and gracious hospitality offered to the Other and the others. The close link between migration and mission is not only an historical feature, but above all a theological insight.

Luigi Sabbarese, L’organizzazione della Chiesa nella cura pastorale per i migranti / The organization of the Church in the pastoral care of migrants, pp. 409-443

This essay intends, through a thematic reading, to trace the contribution of canon law studies to the pastoral care of migrants, privileging most of all the organizational dimension. To understand the specific structures that the Church has worked out in the field of the care of migrants it is necessary to begin from the preconditions and foundations: those are found in the unavoidable reference to the theological and ecclesiological data. The organization of the pastoral care regarding the migrants can be understood starting precisely from the vision of the church proposed by the Vatican Council II, and adopted by the Latin and Oriental Codes that has traduced it in a canonistic language. Even though the canonical regulations have not formalized a proper law to a specific pastoral care, the organizational set-up has recorded, besides the new spirit of the Council, a series of universal norms and inspirational and regulatory principles of specific pastoral structures for migrants – especially that of the personal organization next to the territorial one. The article takes into account not only the contribution of Latin canon lawyers, but opens also to Oriental canon law studies, which after the promulgation of the Code for the Oriental Churches in 1990, has enriched the doctrinal panorama with issues that are specifically Oriental – just think of the pastoral care of members of Oriental churches in diaspora – and has called Latin and Oriental canonists to debate on inter-ecclesial issues old and recent.

Giovanni Graziano Tassello, Teologia pastorale e migrazioni / Pastoral theology and migration, pp. 444-470

Even though ours has been called the age of migration, research on pastoral theology concerning migration is still uncommon. Some of the key theological elements used by authors when dealing with practical theology for migrants are analyzed. Recent studies imply that migrants are no longer seen only as people in need, but as resource persons for local churches. The ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council has caused a shift from a mono-cultural pastoral trend to an intercultural approach where the enactment of catholicity and communion, involving local and migrant Catholics, becomes the focal point. To be faithful to this divine plan and respond to the world’s deepest yearnings, the church has to become the home and the school of communion. The promotion of a spirituality of communion presupposes a Trinitarian ecclesiology. Only the Trinitarian model, the foundation of every ministry, will make it possible to avoid the ever-present danger of homologation and balkanization in the pastoral care of migrants. The last part of the essay deals with particular issues, such as the liturgy in a multicultural setting and the role of popular piety practiced by migrants, the importing of immigrant clergy, the role of lay migrants in the local church, the limits of multiculturalism in migrant ministry, the flight to other Christian denominations, and the need of a cultural and political charity in the field of migration.

Tony Paganoni, Pratica religiosa in Australia: mutamenti e implicazioni / Religious practice in Australia: mutations and implications, pp. 471-481

Among migration scholars it is becoming notable the growing interest toward the role played by religion in the migration process. This essay presents some essential interpretative criteria in relation to the level of concrete participation within the Church. In this context it offers a summary of the latest data available regarding the attendance of the faithful at the Sunday mass in the period of one month (may 2007). It ends with a few brief considerations on the measures that ordinary and extraordinary pastoral care must take in this regard.

Claudia Mantovan, Stranieri o italiani? Il conflitto per il villaggio sinti di Mestre / Strangers or Italians? The conflict for the Sinti village in Mestre, pp. 482-499

The article goes over the development of the conflict exploded during the spring/summer 2008 regarding the decision, taken by the city of Venice, to start building a Sinti village in Mestre, highlighting the rhetoric used by the actors of the conflict to describe the Sinti.

The work intends primarily to reflect on the question of citizenship and political participation in the face of both the emergence of forms of participation such as committees of citizens, and above all of the increase in diversity in the cities, such as that represented by the Romani people. This reveals how the actors for and against the village have actually two different conceptions of citizenship. It is also shown how the same discursive frames can be taken by actors who have different purposes.

Secondly, the article intends to reflect on a local project that acts to overcome the nomad camp policy. It highlights how the Sinti Village project is characterized by elements of ambivalence: on one hand it is undoubtedly an improvement of living conditions for the Sinti, but on the other hand it maintains the logic of segregation and concentration typical of the nomad camps.