But he cannot allow this fear to deter or determine the future of the brotherhood. Each Conference had previously organized a meeting in their respective conference. Both the host Provincial as well as the Provincial of Granada, representing UFME, were present for part of the meeting. The meeting took place in the shadow of the discovery of bodies bodies of 58 Chinese refugees in Dover, England, as well as unknown numbers lost at sea between Morocco and Spain and along the Italian Adriatic coast. The laws, in Europe prompted by increased xenophobia and racism on the continent, are making it increasingly more difficult for refugees to stay.
Few brothers work on refugees issues.
Those who do are mostly working alone and without full and decisive Provincial backing. Participants were conscious of the General Chapter's mandate to work towards setting up networks of people and resources to respond to the growing refugee and displacement crisis in Europe and in the world. Information will be made available through provincial publications as well as making personal visits to the local fraternities. Those brothers working on refugee issues will encourage the inclusion of themes on refugees in initial and ongoing formation programmes. They will also coordinate work with JPIC commissions, as well as with local church and non-governmental organizations.