Migrants and Refugees in Catholic Social Doctrine

Introduction

Migrants and refugees have long been considered vulnerable populations within Christianity, but many, Christians included, remain to this day insufficiently knowledgeable about the specificity of the Church's views on the matter. Addressing the way in which the Catholic Faith has regarded voluntary and forced migration from the time of Pope Pius XII onwards, this book provides the teachings of the Catholic Church about the fundamental human rights of migrants and refugees, commencing with Exsul Familia Nazarethana, Pacem in Terris, and Gaudium et Spes. These are followed by the writings and speeches of various Popes on the subject, including those of Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, in addition to the more structured teachings on the subject as set forth in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.