Resource kit for celebrating the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Pope Francis has invited the Church to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking in his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to be celebrated on September 27.
This year’s theme for the Holy Father’s Message for 2020 World Day of Migrant and Refugee is: “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee”.
Archbishop Christopher Prowse, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Delegate for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, says that regarding the many statements of the Catholic Church on various aspects of migration, a recurring biblical image has often emerged: the Flight into Egypt of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
“Like an icon of so many of the displaced, the Holy Family represents people ‘on the move’,” he says in a message.
“The Church stands alongside the fragilities and dangers of the millions attempting to find a dignified home in the world.”
Archbishop Prowse says this pastoral care of the Church towards Migrants and Refugees aims at emphasising and focusing on the following aspects as named by the Pope Francis.
Welcoming: Increasing Safe and Legal Routes for Migrants and Refugees
Protecting: Defending the Rights and Dignity of Migrants and Refugees.
Promoting: Fostering the Integral Human Development of Migrants and Refugees.
Integrating: Greater Participation of Migrants and Refugees to Enrich Local Communities.
“May I offer a final word of sincere gratitude to all those who dedicate themselves to the pastoral care to Migrants and Refugees in Australia,” Archbishop Prowse says.
“Perhaps an exhortation from St Paul stresses our Gospel imperative to welcome those seeking hospitality as displaced persons:
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Rom 15:1-7)
Click here to access the resource kit for Migrant and Refugee Sunday, prepared by the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office. The kit contains liturgical resources, Pope Francis’ message and first-hand accounts of how people in the Church community are accompanying migrants and refugees.
Click here to read Sr Joan Healy RSJ’s account of the daily challenges encountered by refugees she has met through her ministry, as well as their enduring spirit.
Click here to see the frontline work being undertaken by the Jesuit Refugee Service.