Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants
Sr Catherine Jones smsm
New Zealand had its best medal tally ever at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. We pride ourselves on our sporting achievements on the international stage. But how do we fare on the humanitarian and development aspects of international relations? Would it be bronze, silver or gold?
In their general election statement, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops h
ave invited all Catholics to reflect deeply on the questions facing New Zealanders as they go to the polls.
The Bishops rightly focus on key issues facing New Zealand at this time such as child poverty. But they also remind us: ‘In a global world, our responsibilities do not end at our own shores’. In particular, we are ‘our brother’s keeper’ for migrants and former refugees who now call New Zealand home.
It is about 10 years since my first visit to a New Zealand prison. I was part of the support group for asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui once he was released from solitary confinement.
Always we were two or three visitors at a time. We exchanged jokes in Algerian Arabic, shed tears over some of his early poems and shared his anguish for his family. Outside, the legal system moved slowly but in the end Ahmed was freed and reunited with his family, who have now settled in New Zealand.
My life too was changed forever. I hesitate to tell this story but I do so because I believe we all have our story of a chance encounter with ‘the foreigner who lives among you’ (Deuteronomy 26:11). Take a moment to recall that person and that time, and the impact it had on you. What is the next step you want to take?
To all those volunteers who work to welcome former refugees into our society, who help with language and cooking classes and many other community support areas – please stand for your gold medal.
Make room for others who will join you soon on the podium!
Sr Catherine Jones smsm is a former member of the Caritas Board and has worked in refugee resettlement.