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Bishops of the dioceses of the Canary Archipelago shared their concerns about immigration just weeks before Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain, a visit that will end on the islands.<\/p>\n
The reason behind Pope Francis’ desire to visit the islands was the situation in the Canary Islands resulting from pressure caused by immigration from Africa; This wish will now be fulfilled by his successor, Pope Leo XIV, who will visit the islands on 11\u201312 June, as well as Madrid and Barcelona on 6\u201310 June.<\/p>\n
The Bishop of Tenerife, Eloy Santiago, acknowledged that the fact that the archipelago serves as “Europe’s southern border \u2013 the point of arrival for immigration coming from the African continent” \u2013 is a reality “that often overwhelms us.”<\/p>\n
“We lack the human and economic resources to deal with this dramatic reality. We feel powerless in the face of this deadly Atlantic route,” Santiago explained during a meeting with the press.<\/p>\n
Since the arrival of the first boat carrying two immigrants from Africa in 1994 and over the course of more than three decades, thousands of people \u2013 usually young men \u2013 have arrived on the shores of the Canary Islands in search of a future. Thousands of other people drowned in this attempt.<\/p>\n
The bishop of the Diocese of Tenerife said the Holy Father’s visit would be a symbol of “support and inspiration” and would “draw attention to this tragic drama”.<\/p>\n
Bishop of the Canary Islands <\/em>(which includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Graciosa), <\/em>Jos\u00e9 Mazuelos also expressed hope that “the Holy Father will shed light on this matter, to see if it is possible to conclude the Atlantic route,” although he also said that the Pope’s presence in the islands is pastoral in nature and covers other aspects of the life of the Church.<\/p>\n “It’s not that the Pope is coming to the Canary Islands to politically sway the migration issue to one side or the other,” <\/em>He insisted.<\/p>\n Mazuelos also suggested that for many people “you would have to put them on a ‘cayuko’ (a large, flat-bottomed wooden boat) that would spend five days, day and night, in the Atlantic, without food so that they could see what we are doing when (migrants) come here,” he said in reference to those who criticize the Catholic Church’s work to welcome migrants, protect them and integrate them into society.<\/p>\n Mazuelos said that if countries of origin receive development aid that is intended to help eliminate the reasons that caused so many people to leave their homes, “we must hold them accountable, and we must crack down on the mafias.” <\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Mazuelos, Bishop of the Canary Islands in Spain. | Credit: Nicolas de Cardenas\/ACI Prensa<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Furthermore, he expressed support for “looking for ways for migrants to come to work through alternative channels”. He cited as an example that during the second half of the 20th century, Spaniards legally migrated to Central European countries “with their proper work papers”.<\/p>\n He considered whether the same result could be achieved with respect to African migration, although he acknowledged that this approach is “a bit idealistic.”<\/p>\n Kaya Su\u00e1rez, secretary general of Caritas of the Canary Islands, who was present at the meeting, said that “the Pope’s visit is not only a recognition of the welcome extended, but also a call to prayer for the victims who lost their lives on the Atlantic route,” estimating more than 19,000 people since 2020.<\/p>\n Regarding Leo XIV’s visit to the Canary Islands, where the celebration of two large masses has so far been confirmed, Mazuelos expressed his confidence that personal testimonies will be shared during at least one of the Masses, since one of the priorities of the Catholic Church is to “put a human face” on the reality of migrants.<\/p>\n The island of El Hierro, part of the Diocese of Tenerife, is one of the places in the archipelago where this reality has become most evident. Last year alone, 25,000 immigrants came to the local population of 9,000 residents.<\/p>\n The Bishop, aware that “the people of El Hierro are anxiously awaiting the possibility of a papal visit”, pointed out realistically that given the time and logistics required, “although not impossible,” it would be “difficult” for such a visit to take place.<\/p>\nDetails of Pope Leo XIV’s visit awaited<\/h2>\n