The Vatican 7 October 2008

To Mr Daniel GUÉRY

International President of MIAMSI

Having been informed of the twelfth General Assembly of the International Movement of Apostolate to Independent Social Milieus being held in Malta, the Holy Father sends his warm greetings to all the participants and assures them of his prayers for success in their work. The theme of this Assembly: Migration, an opportunity for building bridges, is especially important in the life of society. The Pope therefore encourages you to be witnesses of the hope that comes to us from the love of Christ, to those people who have had to leave their countries, and to defend their dignity and rights through building fraternal links among families, cultures, peoples and religions. As your work takes place on the island of Malta, radically marked by the passage of the Apostle Paul, the Holy Father invites you also to be fervent messengers of the Gospel in the nations where your movement is developing. To the participants in this twelfth General Assembly, and to all the members of MIAMSI, the Holy Father extends a wholehearted special Apostolic Blessing.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

Secretary of State to His Holiness