ICMC Expresses Sorrow Over Attacks in New Zealand

The Secretary General and Staff of the International Catholic Migration Commission express their deep sorrow on the senseless act of violence and tragic loss of life during the attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday, 15 March 2019. Our heartfelt solidarity goes out to all the victims’ families and community members

ICMC staff dedicate themselves to offer welcome and humanitarian support to persons who are forced to migrate or seek refuge in search of security, safety, freedom from systemic violence, prejudice and persecution, or are in desperate search for the basic necessities of life. We see each day the positive gifts that migrants and refugees bring to the communities that welcome them.

ICMC’s national member organization, Caritas New Zealand, has distinguished itself in working with local parishes to resettle refugees and to promote welcome of such persons by all members of the population – an important effort in that regard was Caritas New Zealand’s educational and awareness-raising campaign, “We all have a migration story.”

Let us pray that God will help us to transform this horrendous  loss of life into renewed efforts among all peoples and communities for indeed we are all sisters and brothers created in the image of God.