By: josé gil márquez  (Page 4/4)

The presence of immigrants is necessary in Spain and the rest of Europe. The U.N., in its recent report on Human Development, recommended that Europe duplicate its number of immigrants until 2050 in order to compensate for the aging of its population and the low national population.

More than 16% of the children born last year in Spain are of foreign mothers or fathers. Many schools have not closed in our towns thanks to the children of immigrants. Social Security quotes that immigration has influenced, without a doubt, the annual surplus that accounts register for the past few years.

Can western countries maintain their development without the immigrant work force? It seems not. These countries are in need of more of these forces.

Migrant groups move in large numbers. About 180 million people per year move from their countries to tell us, one way or another, globalization is not just about economics, but that it makes us interdependent and in need each of other. They also tell us that inequality and injustice generate wars and violence; that the borders and sovereignties that were created to protect citizens are "softening" and no longer serve what they were created for. Does somebody know where terrorism is installed? It can be anywhere, and no nation in the world, no matter how powerful it may be, can feel free from it.

A powerful "planetary community” is being created, accumulating and empowering more people all the time. However, members of this community have had to leave their lives the border, at Straits of Gibraltar or the Grande River. This begs the question: “How do I see the situation of the immigrants in Spain?” I will enumerate several points that worry me about the future:

The loss of Europe’s soul. Europe has lost much of its spirit and has almost been left without soul, with which this supposes a loss of ideals and values. Excluding the exceptions, Europeans live well, consume, have much, and pretend to have “a blast,” but do they think? Do they have interest in their own growth? Do they cultivate their spirit? Do they sacrifice themselves for someone or something? I am afraid not.

The materialist perspective. The European view of those who arrive is focused on the material. They like having an immigrant work force, but do not attempt to discover any personal nuclei of feelings and values, family relationships, desires and frustrations in a world strange to them. Europeans prefer not to have them as neighbors. I have seen presumptuous protest because immigrants were seated on benches in the park, while the European could not find a seat.

The need for a new perspective. We need change our perspective so as not see immigrants only as instruments for work, but as human beings who can enrich us with their ways of life while contributing substantial help for something we cannot or do not want to do. The Catholic Church fights to change this perspective. But it is not easy in the atmosphere in which we live.

The historic inability to peaceably disagree. Our national history has not been permeable to encounters with other cultures. For example, Spaniards expulsed the Moors and Jews in the crusades, "tackling" anyone who got in front, and during the Inquisition, slaughtered those who did not think like they. Present day, there are those in Spain who continue to visualize a division into two Spains.

If one does not think like us on politics, religion, or even soccer, they become almost a personal enemy and it is necessary to attack. We have not been able to integrate ourselves well enough to peaceably reach agreements, mark intermediate solutions catalytic of the diverse cultures and styles of life, or to arrive at a fecund and enriching mixture of races. The change toward more flexible and permeable mentalities is neither easy nor fast.

Personally, I felt very disoriented during my first contact with the Hispanic culture. I had to learn its racially mixed schemes of thought and ways of life, as well as its mixed schemes of the good and the bad. The good and the bad normally cohabit within the same person or reality. Its reality is the fruit of many encounters, varied shades that work with other cultural coordinates to perceive and solve the conflicts. I felt like I was swimming in ambiguity until I learned its way of being and acting.

Now, my problem is here with my compatriots and companions. In many circumstances I feel frightened and sometimes disoriented by their radical thoughts and decisions, the sharp and aggressive attitude which lacks respect for the opinion of others and does not look for a unifying consensus. At times I even feel attacked and intimidated by the Spanish here, as my Spanish now shows an Hispanic influence.

New values and principles

What values and principles help us to have a positive approach toward those who arrive and an attitude of conjunction toward the new reality that approaches? Religion has lost much intensity and effectiveness in Spain, especially among young people. The Catholic Church makes an effort to extend to and help newcomers, but its staff is insufficiently prepared for these necessities, and still lacks the shelters it is trying to obtain through the diverse Dioceses. Its work is more canalized toward welfare, charity, and the creation of a new consciousness by means of publishing documents. Unfortunately, these documents have little circulation.

Some schools and organizations are trying to help. But to my understanding, these have little means and effectiveness. How many centers, like Cemira, which is doing an invaluable job, exist in our dear Spain? Some municipalities are helping the adoption of diverse cultures, but these also have little support. Perhaps the most worrisome problem is the fanaticism of those who take the poison of violence: in offensive messages, posters, tactics of intimidation, manifest violence, threats and scorns, ridicule in sports events. As I said at the beginning, I anticipate a birth of a difficult and painful future.

I want to end by showing my thanks to Hispanics for the wealth that they have given me by teaching me to dream in a different world; by finding me with their songs, customs, traditions, and meals so different from mine; and accepting me like one of theirs without demanding anything from me whatsoever. They have helped me to discover myself with their gift of knowing where one’s true wealth lies, and have taught me to love in a spontaneous and natural form because they loved and valued me with all their the heart.

Father D. José Gil Márquez is a Licensed Psychologist, Master in Family Therapy (in California), and Catholic Priest (In Extremadura).