The delegate of the Government of Spain to the Community of Madrid, Francisco Martín Aguirre, today received La Mesa for the Hospitality of the Archdiocese of Madrid, a diocesan entity dedicated to the social integration of refugees and migrants.
On behalf of the Bureau for Hospitality, the meeting was attended by the delegate of Human Mobility, Rufino García Antón; the general director of the Capuchin Service for Development and Solidarity and vice-president of the FACIAM Network, Xabier Parra Berrade; the coordinator of social inclusion programs, Iván Lendrino Tejerina; the Secretary General of Caritas Madrid, Pilar Algarate and the deputy director of Caritas, Carmen Polo.
Collaboration to launch a call to coexistence
The delegate and the representatives of La Mesa de la Hospitality, have shared their concern about the events of recent weeks, condemning hate speeches and the criminalization of migrants, racialized and/or refugees, with special attention to what happened in Alcalá de Henares or in Murcia. In this regard, they have agreed on the need to promote coordinated work between the Administrations, the third sector and civil society to provide a comprehensive response to the migration issue. Martín has asked for their collaboration in all areas to launch a common appeal for coexistence.
The Table for Hospitality
The Table for Hospitality was convened in 2015 by Cardinal Carlos Osoro to address the situation of refugees and displaced persons knocking at the doors of Europe, and to give a joint and coordinated response from the Church of Madrid. The Episcopal Delegation for Human Mobility of the Archbishopric of Madrid, Cáritas Diocesana de Madrid, CONFER, Pueblos Unidos - SJM, Sercade - Capuchins, Justicia y Paz Madrid and the Community of Sant'Egidio are part of it.
During the meeting, they have transferred to the delegate the social work they do in the face of the diversity of migration and refugee situations in the Community of Madrid, with numerous programs of care for people in situations of exclusion, programs of reception from the territory, centers and specialized services, as well as proposals for the integration and social inclusion of these groups.