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Church in Central African Republic Helping Refugees to Return

Source: Vatican News

The Bishops’ Conference in the Central African Republic has been acompanying the government to encourage the return of refugees who fled the country following the outbreak of conflict in 2013 by listening to their needs and providing support for them to reintegrate and rebuild their lives.

Costa Rican Government Must Do More to Protect Migrants

Source: Crux

Costa Rican authorities need to act to protect migrants in transit, who often must depend on gangs for transport, says Red Clamor, a Church-led regional migrant rights group that includes several ICMC members. Migrants who can’t pay to ride government buses are “put into the hands of the criminals.”

Listen to the Voices of Child Refugees, Says Pope Francis

Source: Catholic News Agency

In a message ahead of the first World Children’s Day to be marked by Catholics in May, Pope Francis urged young people not to forget their peers forcibly displaced by war and violence. “We need to hear those voices, for amid their sufferings they remind us of reality,” the Holy Father said.

U.S. Bishop: Border Can Be Managed Without Denying Human Rights

Source: Union of Catholic Asian News

Migration is a “human issue, specifically about the human rights and human dignity of the person,” said U.S. migrant lead Bishop Mark J. Seitz at a recent webinar on border management. He called for bipartisan action to find humane solutions that serve the interests of both the nation and migrants.

German Bishops Denounce Far Right and Ethnic Nationalism

Source: Deutsche Welle

In a rare political comment, German Bishops spoke out against the far-right Alternative for Germany party and its “nationalistic attitude,” condemning in particular extremism and hostility towards refugees and migrants. Such beliefs are “incompatible with the Christian image of God and humankind,” they said.

Church Committed to Supporting People on the Move in Ghana

Source: Agenzia Fides

Care for forcibly displaced people is a priority of the Church, Pope Francis’s envoy to Ghana stressed on a recent mission to the West African nation. Archbishop Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski visited reception centers in northern Ghana and heard reports of Catholic support for IDPs and refugees.

ICMC Members Hold Training on Working With Migrants in Asia

Source: Matters India

From 12 to 17 February in Manila, ICMC’s members in the Philippines and India and the Vatican Dicastery for Integrated Human Development held a training for 50 pastoral workers supporting migrants. The training provided participants with insights into the needs and challenges of migrants and refugees, and the role of pastoral care.

Italian Bishops Denounce Plan to Outsource Migrant Reception

Source: Politiko

The lead migration Bishop in Italy roundly denounced a plan recently approved by the country’s Senate that foresees Albania running centers to receive migrants rescued at sea by Italian vessels. Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego said the scheme hid “the government’s inability to deal” with migration.

U.S. Bishops Support Efforts to End Human Trafficking

Source: Catholic News Agency

U.S. Bishops have called on legislators to pass a proposed bill that would finance anti-human trafficking measures and support survivors. “It is incumbent upon all of us to unite in promoting efforts that prevent the evil of human trafficking,” said Episcopal migration lead Mark J. Seitz.

Pope Urges Catholics to Take Action to End Human Trafficking

Source: ACI Africa

On the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking on 8 February, Pope Francis urged Catholics to work to stop “this global scourge.” “It is a call to take action, to mobilize all our resources in combatting trafficking and restoring full dignity” to survivors, he said.

U.S. Bishops Say “Flawed” Border Bill Would Endanger Migrants

Source: Catholic News Agency

U.S. Bishops have raised concerns about border legislation being debated in the Senate, urging leaders to reject proposed changes that would “unjustly undermine due process” and “pave the way for avoidable and potentially life-threatening harm” to vulnerable people seeking humanitarian protection.

Spanish Bishops Launch App and Website to Advise African Migrants

Source: The Tablet

Spanish Bishops launched a virtual “hospitality guide” for African migrants that highlights Church-run “safe spaces” and advises on migration risks, legal issues, and rights. The app and website aim to “save lives” and “facilitate access to accurate information,” says the Episcopal migration office.

Central Africa Bishops Visit Refugee Camp, Renew Call for Peace

Source: Agenzia Fides

Bishops from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda meeting in Goma, DRC, called for an end to “the violence of insecurity” in the region. They held a peace mass and visited Lushagala refugee camp, home to 90,000 forcibly displaced people, during the regional Episcopal gathering.

Central African Bishops Partner with ICMC to Support Displaced

Source: Agenzia Fides

The Central African Episcopal migrants’ commission partnered with ICMC to support over 540 people in 2023, offering educational and nutritional assistance for children as well as mental health support in four locations. “The Church must be close to migrants and refugees,” the Commission head said.

Guatemalan, U.S. Bishops Feature in Welcoming the Stranger Series

Source: Global Sisters Report

The Catholic commitment to care of life includes caring about migrants and conditions driving migration to the U.S., says Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini. The Guatemalan Bishop is featured together with U.S. migrant Bishop Mark J. Seitz in this “Welcoming the Stranger” piece by the Global Sisters Report.

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ICMC provides assistance and protection to vulnerable people on the move and advocates for sustainable solutions for refugees and migrants.