By Matters India Reporter
Old Goa, Feb 21, 2025: A two-day meeting in Goa has reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to migrant care and advocacy, urging dioceses and religious congregations to become protagonists of change in fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
“The members of the Church must become signs of hope for migrants, the elderly, the sick, and all those in need, especially those in vulnerable situations and on the peripheries,” said Cardinal Philip Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and president of both the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
The cardinal was speaking at the February 20-21 gathering of diocesan secretaries of the Commission for Migrants from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, organized by the CCBI Commission for Migrants at Shanti Sadan Pastoral Centre, Old Goa.
He reminded the Church of its mission, especially in this Jubilee Year, to be a source of hope. He referenced Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year, emphasizing the Church’s call to accompany and uplift those in distress.
Highlighting the lives of Saints Francis Xavier and Joseph Vaz, Cardinal Ferrao described them as models of relationship-building, which he called the foundation of pastoral care for migrants and other vulnerable groups. “Caring and empowerment happen through relationships,” he stressed.
St. Francis Xavier, a missionary to India, and St. Joseph Vaz, a missionary to Sri Lanka, expressed their love, compassion, and solidarity with the people through communication, which is a vital skill for migrant ministry in this Jubilee Year.
The meeting was attended by 25 representatives from various dioceses, religious congregations, and members of the CCBI Council for Migrants.
Discussions focused on the socio-political realities that force poor and marginalized people to migrate in search of livelihood and food. The participants noted the lack of comprehensive data on migrants, particularly labor migrants, and emphasized the need for greater awareness among host communities about the principles of welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating migrants.
The meeting also appreciated government initiatives such as seasonal hostels, which provide care for migrants’ children when their parents migrate for work, and other welfare programs for migrants.
Key decisions taken during the meeting included:
• Raising awareness among Church members about migrant issues.
• Encouraging dioceses to become proactive in caring for migrants, regardless of caste, creed, or religion.
• Creating free spaces for migrants within dioceses and establishing functional help desks.
• Strengthening inter-diocesan networks and collaboration between diocesan departments to ensure safe migration.
Christine Nathan, president of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), addressed the growing anti-migrant policies and xenophobic attitudes in society. She stated, No one is an alien in this world. Every human being has inherent dignity, and xenophobia goes against the fundamental values of human society.
Father Jaison Vadassery, secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, emphasized the active involvement of dioceses in providing pastoral care services to migrants in distress.
Sister Rani Punnasseril, a lawyer highlighted the importance of pre-departure training, which helps migrants migrate safely and return securely.