By Rani Punnasseril
Bengaluru, March 14, 2025: Seminaries and formation centers of the Church should get involved with people’s lives, particularly by fostering sensitivity toward migrants and displaced persons, said Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, the chairman of the Commission for Migrants under the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
The archbishop reaffirmed Pope Francis’ vision that stressed the poor as the center of the Church’s mission. Priestly and religious formation should be rooted in the lived experiences of the marginalized, he told a three-day workshop that concluded March 13 at Bengaluru.
“Migrants are the poor of our times, and as Pope Francis reminds us, they are Jesus at our doorsteps,” he added.
The workshop brought together the CCBI’s two commissions – one for migrants and the other dealing with vocation, seminaries, clergy, and religious (VSCR).
Father Stephen Alathara, CCBI deputy secretary general and the brain behind the workshop, said the workshop was part of an attempt to evolve a structured and effective approach to pastoral initiatives.
The CCBI’s pastoral plan provides a framework to strengthen evangelization, faith formation, social outreach, and pastoral care. It ensures the Church remains mission-driven and adaptable to modern challenges while staying rooted in its spiritual and service commitments, the workshop was told.
The program, held at Paalana Bhavan, the pastoral center of the archdiocese of Bangalore, aimed at disseminating and implementing the pastoral plan across the conference’s 14 regions.
The event brought together 35 regional secretaries of the both the commissions.
Archbishop Thakur called for increased collaboration among religious communities, NGOs, and civil society to support migrants.
He urged the Church to take concrete steps, including:
• Raising awareness at the parish and diocesan levels.
• Appointing priests dedicated to migrant ministry.
• Integrating migration issues into seminary formation programs.
• Strengthening networks to facilitate job opportunities and education for migrants.
• Establishing a helpline for migrants in distress.
The prelate also highlighted the necessity of a change in mindset regarding the Church’s approach to migrants, advocating a welcoming and committed attitude from clergy and religious. “We must ask ourselves: do we truly believe in the ministry for migrants? If so, we need to act now,” he asserted.
The meeting developed regional and diocesan action plans aligned with the national pastoral plan.
The pastoral plan for the Odisha region’s Commission for Vocation, Seminaries, Clergy, and Religious seeks to cultivate spirit-filled, people-centered servant leaders through awareness, orientation, and structured formation.
The plan includes initiatives for clergy, religious, lay faithful, seminaries, and formation houses, with a focus on parish-level implementation, diocesan vocation teams, youth engagement, and mentorship.
The group proposed innovative ideas, including the establishment of associations to support vocations and empower them through the “Race to Grace” digital app. The app will provide interactive content, mentorship, and formation resources to guide individuals in their vocational journey. With regular updates and evaluations, it aims to foster a deeper commitment to priestly and religious life.
The Migrants’ Commission focuses on their empowerment, with Jashpur diocese in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh and the Odisha region’s southern areas prioritizing awareness, formation, and pastoral care, while the Archdiocese of Delhi and Tamil Nadu Region (destination areas) emphasize inclusion, advocacy, and social integration.
These efforts strengthen the Church’s mission of holistic care and solidarity
The participants expressed their appreciation for the direction provided. Father Rasmikant Nayak from Chhattisgarh praised the well-structured program, noting that the pastoral plan will aid prospective migrants in safe migration and provide hope to returnees in distress.
Father Robert Kujur of Dibrugarh diocese in the northeastern Indian state of Assam valued the insights gained, particularly in migrant care and pre-departure orientation at the parish level.
Sister Marykutty Antony, provincial of the Jesus Mary and Joseph congregation, lauded the collaboration between the two commissions and said the workshop would lead to positive changes for migrants and the Church.
Daisy Panna, a medical practitioner from the Archdiocese of Delhi, described the workshop as fruitful and enriching. “It has clarified my role both as a national council member of the VSCR commission as a lay representative. It has strengthened, motivated, and reiterated my commitment. Now, I see my role as a privilege and an opportunity to contribute,” she said.
VSCR executive secretary Father Charles Leon and his counterpart in the migrant commission, Father Jaison Vadassery, were instrumental in executing this program.
The participants said they were returning to their places with renewed hope and determination for the effective implementation of the pastoral plans of the two commissions.