Sao Vicente, 21 January, 2025 / 8:38 pm (ACI Africa).
Bishop Fernando García Cadiñanos of the Catholic Diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol in Spain has emphasized the enriching contributions of immigrants to host societies, urging a shift from fear-based narratives that migrants tend to water down the identity of their host countries.
Speaking at a public lecture at the Catholic University in Cape Verde (EU Católica) on the theme “International Human Mobility from a Christian Perspective”, Bishop Cadiñanos reflected on the complexities of migration, and addressed the rise of xenophobic and populist rhetoric in many Western nations.
“Today, there is a growing nationalist discourse that portrays immigrants as threats to identity, security, and economic welfare,” he said, and added, “This ideology promotes the idea that resources should be reserved exclusively for natives, reviving slogans like ‘America for Americans.’”
The Bishop who serves as President of the Episcopal Subcommission for Migration and Human Mobility in Spain led a delegation from his diocese on a sociocultural and pastoral exchange visit to the Catholic Diocese of Santiago in Cape Verde from January 15 to 20.
In his address, Bishop Cadiñanos linked nationalistic sentiment to policies emphasizing border control and restrictive migration laws.