Push for Signing of UN Law on Statelessness: South African Archbishop to Religious Leaders

The member of the UNHCR Multi-Religious Council of Leaders has urged faith leaders “to encourage their agencies and organisations that work on refugee matters to share information, resources, and skills, in order to alleviate the challenges that are faced by refugees.” 

The South African member of Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) also emphasizes the need for collaboration among religious leaders. 

He says, “Collaboration among religious leaders is imperative if resources are to be harnessed effectively.” 

In his statement that was presented at a World Council of Churches (WCC) event, the immediate former Liaison Bishop of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) Migrants and Refugees Office said refugees expect religious leaders to encourage non-discriminatory employment policies.  

“Employment enhances the dignity of the working person.  The major aspiration of refugees is to find employment. Employment is the key to liberation, to personal fulfillment and to assuming family responsibility,” he says.

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Archbishop Tlhagale adds that it is “critically important to acknowledge the humble contribution of refugees.”

“It is not true that all we bring to our host countries is poverty. We also bring a tough competition. We challenge the local people to get out of their comfort zone. We bring color to the lives of people from the store of our cultural diversity,” he says.

Refugees, the Catholic Archbishop further says, also bring “humble skills, ambitions, courage and our dreams for peace, well-being and success in life.” 

Refugees know that they should not infringe the laws of the host country, the Catholic Archbishop who will turn 76 on December 26 adds. 

“Commitment of crimes by refugees increases fear and prejudice among the local people. Respect for laws and local traditions can only promote a spirit of welcome and mutual appreciation,” he says.