By Rani Punnasseril
Bangalore, Sept 27, 2024: The Catholic Church in India has unveiled a digital portal aimed at supporting migrants across the country.
The portal was officially launched by Cardinal Philip Neri Ferrão, the Archbishop of Goa and the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
The new portal, integrated within the Catholic Connect platform, seeks to assist migrants moving for work, education, or other reasons of displacement. This initiative aligns with the vision of Pope Francis, who advocates for welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrants and refugees, says a CCBI press release.
India, with more than 450 million internal migrants, is home to one of the world’s largest diasporas. These individuals often face challenges related to displacement, exploitation, and access to basic services.
In response, the Catholic Church is stepping up efforts to assist migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, unaccompanied minors, and victims of human trafficking, it adds.
Father Jaison Vadassery, executive secretary to the CCBI Commission for Migrants, said the portal will serve as a vital resource, allowing migrants to register and access Church services regardless of their location. Dioceses and parishes across India will support the initiative by helping migrants register, while trained volunteers from migrant communities will extend aid to those in distress, he added.
The CCBI official also explained that the service is open to all, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. “The portal will enable the Church to accompany migrants in a more meaningful way, as we did during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
The platform will help migrants enrol in government schemes and provide assistance during emergencies, such as securing healthcare or education for their children.
The Church’s new initiative aims to empower migrants, helping them integrate into their host communities while remaining connected to their cultural and religious roots.
Also present on the occasion were Archbishops Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, chairman of the CCBI Commission for Migrants; Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi, CCBI secretary general; Elias Gonsalves of Nagpur, Father Stephen Alathara, CCBI Deputy Secretary General; and Father Cyril Victor, coordinator of the CCBI Media Apostolate.
The new portal to connect migrants throughout the country is a very helpful initiative by CCBI. The name of the portal is not clear. Is it Catholic Connect? Hope it will not be a duplicate initiative or clash with the government portals for migrant labourers/ students. Also it is difficult to understand why non-Christians will register their details with this portal. Does it mean state / central government portals do not exist?
Ministry of External Affairs has launched (in July 2015), a portal (madad.gov.in/appconsular/welcomelink) for voluntary registration of Indian students abroad to liaise with the government in the event of an emergency.