The Role of Religious Communities in the Integration and Wellbeing of Immigrants  

作　　者：Maria Helena G. Pratas 

机构地区：[1]CEIA, Center for Studies and Applied Research [2] ISEC(Instituto Superior de Educaqfio e Cincias), Lisbon, Portugal

出　　处：《US-China Education Review(B)》2013年第6期423-428,共6页美中教育评论（B）

摘　　要：The author intends to present the role of religious communities in the integration and wellbeing of immigrants in Portugal. The Portuguese constitution clearly defines the fundamental right of freedom of conscience, religion, and worship for all religions （art.13, 41）. Religious communities are separated from the state and are free in their organization and cults. The most represented religion is Roman Catholicism and other religious communities are formed almost entirely by immigrants and their descendants. As in many other parts of the world, migrants turn to religious organizations in search of support. This happens in Portugal with religious organizations who welcome migrants, irrespective of their cultural or religious affiliation （Vilaqa, 2008）. Religious communities in Portugal--as in other countries--have been playing a key role in integrating new immigrants： They help to resolve emotional and other problems, such as unemployment, housing, language courses, education, advocacy, social services, as well as to establish contacts with other persons and institutions and contribute to their social integration （Pires, 2003）. This is not a process of cultural assimilation, but of reciprocal exchanges （Portes, 1998; Putnam, 2007）. Religious communities work as agents to be able to build bridges with dimensions that are beyond the range of action of any political force （Vila^a, 2008）.

关 键 词：religious communities IMMIGRANTS cultural diversity INTEGRATION wellbeing 

分 类 号：TV632[水利工程—水利水电工程] B978[哲学宗教—宗教学]