T&T’s Venezuelan migrant situation – practise biblical justice

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

As the crisis in Venezuela worsens, especially following the widely criticised elections on July 28, thousands of Venezuelans continue to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Trinidad and Tobago.

The influx of Venezuelan migrants presents us with a challenge. However, it also provides an opportunity for citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to practice biblical justice, a concept deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture and the Catholic Church.

The principles put forward by Sr Mary Katherine Birge SSJ in her article Biblical Justice, along with the recent counsel of Pope Francis in his general audience on August 28, establish a moral imperative for Trinbagonians to welcome and support our Venezuelan neighbours in their time of need.

In her article, Sr Mary Katherine emphasises that justice in the Bible transcends mere legal fairness. It is fundamentally about right relationships—between individuals, communities, and with God.

Biblical justice calls for an active commitment to the well-being of others, particularly the vulnerable and marginalised. It is a call to restore balance where it has been disrupted, to act with compassion and mercy, and to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, receives their due.

In the Old Testament, justice is often associated with care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger—those who, in ancient societies, were most at risk of being marginalised.

Deuteronomy 10:18–19, for example, commands the Israelites to love the stranger, for they were once strangers in Egypt. This command is not simply about hospitality; it is about recognising the inherent dignity of every person and ensuring that they are treated with the respect and care that God demands.

The New Testament builds on this foundation, with Jesus’ teaching that the measure of our love for God is how we treat others, particularly those in need.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25–37), Jesus illustrates that our neighbour is anyone who needs our help, regardless of their nationality, religion, or status.

Justice, in this context, is about going beyond what is legally required to do what is morally right—to show mercy, lift the downtrodden, and protect the vulnerable.

Pope Francis, in his general audience on August 28, reaffirmed these biblical principles, particularly in the context of migration. He declared that deliberately turning away migrants seeking peace and security constitutes a mortal or “grave sin”.

This strong language underscores the seriousness with which the Church views the issue of migration and the moral obligation of nations and individuals to respond with compassion and justice.

The Pope’s message is particularly relevant for Trinidad and Tobago, given the significant number of Venezuelan migrants seeking refuge on our shores. Their reasons for migration are complex, but at their core, they involve people fleeing political persecution, violence, oppression, and economic collapse.

To reject these migrants is to ignore their humanity and the divine call to love and care for the stranger. It is to commit a grave sin, as Pope Francis warns—a sin not just against the migrants themselves, but against God, who identifies with the least among us (Matt 25:40).

Trinbagonians have exhibited mixed responses to Venezuelan migrants. Some have opened their hearts and homes to these refugees, while others have expressed fear, resentment, and hostility.

Sadly, many migrants are discriminated against and exploited by Trinis. This ranges from exorbitant rents, deplorable working conditions, low wages, and sexual exploitation.

Friends, our concerns about job competition, cultural differences, and national security are understandable, but they must not overshadow the Gospel’s call to love our neighbour and practise justice.

In addressing this situation, it is important to understand that biblical justice is not about giving everyone the same thing or an equal amount. It is not about being fair, impartial, or objective.

These criteria, which characterise legal justice often give effect to a ‘justice’ that is blind, cold, and anonymous.

Biblical justice is about relationship and ensuring that everyone receives what they need to live with dignity. It “does not treat everyone anonymously but looks to who we are and what we need to become the human beings for whom God has longed from before history began”.

Venezuelan migrants, many of whom arrive with nothing, are in desperate need of shelter, food, work, and community. They are not merely statistics or potential threats; they are human beings created in the image of God, deserving of compassion and care.

We are being urged to respond to their situation in a manner rooted in the principles of biblical justice. This means advocating for policies that protect the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their immigration status. It also means creating a society that is welcoming and inclusive, where migrants are not seen as burdens but as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Friends, sacred Scripture, and Catholic Social Teaching make it clear that justice is about more than fairness; it is about love, compassion, and the pursuit of the common good.

As Trinidad and Tobago faces the challenge of welcoming Venezuelan migrants, let us remember that in doing so, we are not just responding to a humanitarian crisis—we are living out our faith and answering God’s call to justice.

To turn away those in need is a grave sin, but to welcome them is to embrace the Gospel in its fullest sense.

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