Migration, materialism threaten Filipino families - Pope Francis

Speaking to families at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, Pope Francis warned against the adverse impact of migration and materialism on Filipino families.

 

"The economic situation has caused families to be separated by migration and the search for employment, and financial problems strain many households," Pope Francis said at the Encounter with Families.

 

In 2013, Philippine Statistics Authority said there are about 2.3 million overseas Filipino workers scattered all over the world.

 

One of these is Ma. Ediza Pumarada’s husband, an OFW based in Singapore.  

 

“The psychological and emotional burdens were difficult to bear in spite of the earnings that working abroad brought our family. Homesickness and loneliness set in,” she shared to the Pope.

 

She also said that migration challenge the structure, roles, and functions of the family and even the larger society, especially parenting.

 

“Children went astray in life because of the lack of presence and proper guidance of their parents,” she added.

 

This is not the first time that Pope Francis has expressed his support for migrants. He has chided the European Union on how migrants are treated in that part of the world.


 

Materialism

 

Pope Francis stressed, yet again, how materialism can corrupt family relationships.

 

“While all too many people live in dire poverty, others are caught up in materialism and lifestyles which are destructive of family life and the most basic demands of Christian morality,” he added.

 

Earlier today, Pope Francis also said the same message to politicians during his speech at the Malacanan Palace, daring them to reject corruption.

 

Holy and loving families

 

Pope Francis said needs holy and loving families are needed to overcome the threats. 

 

"Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself. The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often said, passes through the family," he reminded. 

 

The pope set the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a source of strength for migrant workers and their loved ones. Like many migrant workers, the Holy Family also needed to flee their home to overcome threats. 

 

"The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph the dangers which threatened Jesus and Mary, forcing them to flee to Egypt and then to settle in Nazareth. So too, in our time, God calls upon us to recognize the dangers threatening our own families and to protect them from harm,” he pointed out.

 

The pontiff also emphasized the importance of prayer in the family so they can overcome problems.  — ELR, GMA News