From August 19 to 23, 2024, Panama City is the scene of the X Meeting of Bishops and migratory pastoral agents of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Under the motto "Walking alongside the migrant and the refugee", the meeting seeks to delve deeper into the migratory reality of the region and reinforce the Church's commitment to defending the dignity and rights of people in situations of mobility. The event takes place at the Monte Alverna Spiritual Retreat House.

The event, which includes the participation of Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, is part of a series of continuous efforts by the Church to follow up on the commitments made in previous meetings.

In particular, this meeting resumes the agreements reached in San Salvador during the IX Meeting of Bishops in August 2023 and integrates them with the experiences acquired in border meetings held in countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Colombia over the last few months.

The day this Monday, August 19, began with a visit to the Migration Reception Center in Lajas Blancas, in Darién. Cardinal Michael Czerny, when visiting the shelter for migrants, stressed that we must think a lot about the conditions of the countries from which the migrants are fleeing, that one would have done the same, because it is very human and necessary, when life appears impossible, to look for another alternative to live. His presence underlines the Vatican's supportive support in pastoral efforts to provide comprehensive accompaniment to migrants and refugees.

Czerny comments on the arrival of the boats with people from all over the world and that the same thing is happening in other parts. "The thing is not the numbers. The thing is that we must respond. We must not leave people without a response."

In addition to the bishops and pastoral agents of the border areas, the meeting has the participation of representatives of the socio-pastoral Observatory of human mobility of Mesoamerica and the Caribbean (Osmeca) and the Red Clamor.

This inter-institutional collaboration reflects the urgency of articulating coordinated pastoral responses that respect local regulations and, at the same time, guarantee the protection of the human rights of those who are forced to leave their homes.

(With information from the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development and ADN Celam)