“Remain close to the people!” This was the message of Pope Francis to Bishop Ryan and the Church of Saipan regarding the CW issue that haunts the Northern Marianas’ immigrants for years now.
One of the things that Bishop Ryan shared with Pope Francis during their private audience last Monday, was the plight of many contract workers in Saipan who are living in constant anxiety and uncertainty as to whether they will go home to their own country or to remain in Saipan. What is more of a concern is that families may be separated from each other if CW visas will not be renewed on time.
Few days ago, USCIS has decided to allow certain employers, who are still waiting to receive the labor certification, to file a late CW permit extension up until Nov. 1. While this ruling gave a breathing air for many, still the fact remains that immigration is an important and a very sensitive issue that concerns not only the local government but the local church as well.
“The issue of immigration is something very close to the heart of Pope Francis”, says Bishop Ryan, “and so he spoke at length about this issue and how important for us to remain close to the people, especially to those who are separated from their loved ones. Since I was the one who posed that question, for a good ten minutes I could see that there was really eye contact, that he was looking at me. Although he was talking to all of us in the room, I felt the connection, I felt the concern, I felt the care that he has to the people of Saipan, especially to the immigrants.
Last Sunday, September 29th, Pope Francis himself led the celebration of 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees by unveiling a sculpture entitled “Angels Unawares” by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmaltz, in St Peter’s Square. “Angels Unawares” is a life-size sculpture in bronze and clay, that depicts a group of migrants and refugees from different cultural and racial backgrounds and from diverse historic periods in time.
The figures stand together, shoulder to shoulder, huddled on a raft. Within this diverse crowd of people, angel wings emerge from the center, suggesting the presence of something sacred among them. In fact, the sculptural work interprets the belief that the sacred is to be found in the stranger, in this case, in refugees and migrants.
The inspiration behind the work is taken from a biblical passage taken from the Letter to the Hebrews: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. (Hebrews 13:2)
Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not just about migrants” to show up our blind-spots and make sure no one remains excluded from society, whether a long-time resident or someone newly-arrived.
