ICMC Church Networking
When World War II ended, millions of people forced by the conflict to flee their homes were stranded and in need of assistance in Europe and other parts of the world. Among those responding to the needs of displaced persons and refugees, there were numerous Catholic-inspired organizations.
To assist these efforts, Pope Pius XII and Msgr. Giovanni Battista Montini (who would later become Pope Paul VI), together with James Norris, an American layman, established the International Catholic Migration Commission, ICMC. The mission of the new organization was “to unite and organize existing Catholic associations and committees, and to promote, reinforce and coordinate their projects and activities on behalf of migrants and refugees.” ICMC has stayed faithful to this mission throughout its history.
We promote the exchange of information and good practice among our national member organizations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences throughout the world, as well as with other Catholic-inspired organizations serving people on the move. We stimulate cooperation among them so that they can better serve migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons and survivors of human trafficking.
ICMC also coordinates regional working groups that promote and enhance safe migration, humanitarian assistance and pastoral care to migrating people. We partner with some of our members to develop and implement joint projects that bring direct assistance to people in need.
To learn more, please take a look at how ICMC helps Catholic Church-inspired services to migrants and refugees and consider making a donation to ICMC.
