Sixth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees

Rome, 9-13 November 2009

A pastoral response to the migratory phenomenon in the era of globalisation

The Sixth Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees took place in Rome (November 2009), under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

The gathering attracted over 300 delegates representing Episcopal Conferences, Religious Orders, international Catholic organisations, and global organisations including the United Nations. Representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ Office of Migration Policy (OMP) were Bishop Patrick Lynch (Chair) Canon James Cronin (member of the Advisory Group) and Cecilia Taylor-Camara (Senior Policy Adviser).

Over four days, delegates examined closely the theme of the congress ‘A Pastoral Response to the Migratory Phenomenon in the Era of Globalisation’ within the context of the implementation of the Papal Encyclical ‘Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi’, issued five years earlier. There were presentations and contributions from clergy, theologians, academics and from fraternal delegates including the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Anglican Communion and the World Council of Churches.

Wide range of issues

Participants were given the opportunity for reflection, dialogue and group work for sharing good practices and aspirations on a range of issues affecting migrants and their families/dependants. Some of the issues discussed were globalization, development and migration, urbanisation and migration, pastoral approach towards young migrants and refugees, pastoral care of migrants in prison and in detention camps, co-operation between the Church of origin and the receiving Church. The needs and challenges of ecumenical and inter-religious co-operation, as well as co-operation between the church and civil institutions for the well-being of migrants and refugees were also discussed.

Addressing the delegates in a private audience shortly after the opening of the congress, Pope Benedict the XVI remarked that the theme ‘A Pastoral Response to the Migratory Phenomenon in the Era of Globalisation’ highlights the specific context of migration in our time. He reiterated that ‘if the phenomenon of migration is as old as the history of humanity, it has never been so consistent and complex in its nature as it is today’. The Pope reminded his audience of the globalisation of migration and its effects on almost every country in the world. Highlighting the plight of migrants, especially refugees, who are forced to live in conditions unworthy of human beings, Pope Benedict XVI invited his audience to view migration as ‘an invitation to perceive clearly the unity of the human family and the values of acceptance, hospitality and love of neighbour’. Considering the vital contribution of migrants to society and acknowledging the inherent challenges that accompany migration, he encouraged the faithful to ‘open their hearts to migrants and their families, not merely as a ‘problem’ but a ‘resource’ to be appropriately appreciated for humanity’s authentic progress and development.

Whilst in Rome the delegates representing the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and a number of dignitaries attended a dinner hosted by Bishop Patrick Lynch at the residence of the British Ambassador to the Holy See. Among the guests was His Eminence Cardinal Pham Minh Man of Vietnam. Bishop Lynch had further discussions with the Vietnamese delegation at a separate meeting at the end of the congress.

Bishop Lynch also hosted a luncheon at the Venerable English College for a number of his brother bishops, clergy and laity from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Addressing his guests at the luncheon Bishop Lynch said that the evidence of globalization of migration is increasingly apparent in Catholic schools and parishes across England and Wales. He noted that one of the key issues that the Church is working on is community cohesion and integration. He said that the OMP assesses ways in which the Catholic Church in particular can help communities to connect with, belong to and participate in social, cultural, religious and economic networks in Britain today, and stressed the important role education both of adults and young people plays in this process. He reiterated that this involves working with many different ethnic and cultural communities, chaplains, parish priests, headteachers, various government departments and some Local Authorities. Speaking of the London Ethnic Chaplains Group that meets regularly and oversees the work of the migrant chaplains in the capital. Bishop Lynch intimated that this model of pastoral ministry is proving very effective and could be replicated in other parts of England and Wales in the near future.

He explained the current priorities of the OMP and the pastoral and policy challenges facing the Church in England and Wales. Bishop Lynch identified pastoral challenges in the care of migrants, include, first, putting in place an enabling structure and process for the pastoral care of migrants in each diocese in the light of the recommendations of the bishops’ document on the Church’s Mission to Migrants. Second, he said providing pastoral care for migrant families and support for the reunification of migrant families was paramount. Finally he noted that facilitating the integration of migrants into church and society was at the heart of the work of the OMP within the Department of International Affairs.

Policy challenges

Speaking on policy challenges in the care of migrants he noted with grave concern the trafficking for sexual exploitation in the view of the forth coming 2012 Olympics in London; the care for migrant families especially women and children in detention; and, finally the issue regarding marriage of irregular migrants and the reunification of families.

In addition, to the pastoral and policy challenges above, Bishop Lynch said that the OMP negotiates with the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) on the Points Based System (PBS). He explained that in the last couple of years, the UK government has taken considerable action in fundamentally re-organising the immigration system with the recent introduction of the Points Based System (PBS), to manage the flow of migrants coming to the UK to work or study. The PBS is aimed at better identifying and attracting migrants who have the most to contribute to the UK. In so doing, the PBS seeks to restrict access for the most vulnerable migrant groups, particularly those for whom the Church is determined to exercise its pastoral ministry, in particular to refugees and those seeking sanctuary in the UK. He assured his guests that OMP will continue to protect the most vulnerable and to work for their integration into society.

Following the VI World Congress of the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees in Rome, it is expected that the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People will produce its findings and recommendations in a document entitled ‘A Pastoral Response to the Migratory Phenomenon in the Era of Globalisation’ that will set the tone for a more coordinated approach to the pastoral care and support of migrants and for facilitating their integration into the Catholic Church and society.