Parafia wspólnotą otwartą na migrantów
Parish as a Community Open to Migrants

Summary/Abstract: The author performs an analysis of what position should the parish pastoral ministry take on a problem of receiving migrants in the period of rising migration movements. He recalls sample data on the number of migrants in Poland in order to present the scale of the problem. On the basis of selected biblical texts and the teachings of the Church the author presents theological motives of pastoral care for migrants, which are, among other things, imitation of Godʼs love for people, dignity of each man created in the image and likeness of God and unity of the human family. Moreover, he emphasises that the Church and hence every single parish is a Catholic community, which means universal, thus open to each believer regardless of race and place of origin. It is to be “home open to everyone”, also a hospitable environment for people from beyond Christianity and to create “a culture of encounter”. Important pastoral tasks are telling the truth about the situation of migrants and overcoming barriers impeding their reception, further acknowledging abundant wealth, which they can bring to the life of the Church and the society. The author provides with examples of practical pastoral initiatives, which a parish can and should undertake for the admission of migrants. These are, among other things, raising this problem in preaching and catechesis, involving incomers in liturgical and prayer life, inviting them to parish groups meetings in order to witness to each other.

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