The Scriptures call us to offer hospitality to the stranger. Jesus and
his family were once refugees, and we continue to see the face of Jesus
in the millions of forcibly displaced people in the world today.
“We must all work to safeguard, consolidate and, where necessary
deepen the regime of asylum and protection and to strengthen its application
in the changing situation of our world.”
Intervention of the Holy See at the Executive Committee meeting of the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2 October
2001.
Catholic Social Teaching
World Day of Migrants and Refugees Message 2008 This Message from Benedict XVI focuses on the theme of young migrants.
Refugees:
A Challenge to Solidarity This 1992 document by the Pontifical
Council Cor Unum and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant
People remains the most comprehensive and systematic presentation in an official
publication of the Holy See of the Church’s position on the rights of
refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people.
Detention of Asylum Seekers & Migrants
Cardinal Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees, expressed concern about the increasing detention of asylum seekers when speaking at the launch of the International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants on 15 June 2006
Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi (The love of Christ towards migrants)
This 2004 instruction from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People provides guidance for pastoral responses to the needs of people on the move, noting in particular the interfaith dimension of this action.
Problems and Challenges of Migrants & the Response of the Church
Speaking at an event in Sri Lanka in 2003, Cardinal Hamao, then President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, gives an overview of the situation.
The Church & Undocumented Migrants
Cardinal Hamao, then President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, addresses the plight of undocumented migrants at a conference in Malaysia in July 2002.
Intervention by the Holy See at the Ministerial Conference of 140 Signatory States to the Refugee Convention
This intervention was made by the Holy See Delegation to the United Nations on the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Papal Messages for the World Day of Migrants & Refugees
Each year the Pope issues a message for this occasion. To find these messages, visit www.vatican.va Select the Holy Father button and then go to Messages.
For a discussion guide on the most recent Message, click here
Stories & Reflections
Asylum Changes
The Jesuit Refugee Service welcomed the removal of some of the worst aspects of the asylum system, but important issues remain. Click here for more.
Religious Call for Bold Transformation of Immigration Policy Religious Call for Bold Transformation of Immigration Policy In a statement for the beginning of Refugee Week, Mark Raper SJ, President of Catholic Religious Australia, has called on the Rudd Government to “start afresh with a fair and humane system that gives protection to people who have a demonstrated humanitarian need, especially those who have suffered torture, violence, trafficking and mental illness.” Click here to read more.
God in Exile: Towards
a Shared Spirituality With Refugees The Jesuit Refugee
Service International produced this resource as part of the reflection
on and celebration of its 25th anniversary. It brings together the experience
and reflections of refugees and those who have chosen to accompany, serve
and plead the cause of displaced people.
Remembering Hiroshima
On 6 August 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, who was later to become Superior General of the Jesuits, was there and tended to the victims. Andrew Hamilton SJ shares Pedro Arrupe’s story.
Discussion Guides
Message for World Day of Migrants & Refugees 2007: Discussion Guide
Message for the World Day of Migrants & Refugees
2006: Study Guide The Study Guide presents a summary of Pope Benedict XVI’s Message
for the World Day of Migrants & Refugees, a link to the full text of
the Message, and a series of questions for reflection and discussion.
Solidarity, Subsidiarity & East Timor: A Discussion
Guide This discussion
guide reflects on a visit by Jesuit Mission to East Timor in the light of
the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity. How can these principles
inform and guide our response to displaced people?
Tools for Action
Refugee
Week 2008 The Refugee Council of Australia has produced a resource kit for Refugee Week (15 – 21 June) and a poster. Click here to download the kit and here for the poster.
World Day of Peace Message 2007 The Human Person, Heart of Peace For the full text of the message, click here. For a summary and discussion guide, click here. For a PowerPoint reflection featuring quotes from the Message, click here.
Celebrating Migrant & Refugee Sunday 2007 This paper presents some resources and action ideas to help parishes, communities and schools to plan their celebrations.
Background Information
Refugee Numbers Rising
Writing for the Zenit news service Fr John Flynn gives an overview of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee’s 2006 Global Trends report on refugee numbers and movements, and recent Papal responses.
Latest International Statistics
Visit this page for the latest statistics from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951
This international agreement, together with its 1967 Protocol, provides a foundation for international efforts to assist refugees and protect their rights.
Refugee Convention Q & A
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951.
Jubilee
Charter of the Rights of Displaced People This
charter of rights was prepared by an international working group in the lead up to the Great
Jubilee of Migrants and Itinerant People in 2000. It identifies the most important
rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people that are already recognized
by international law, and calls for further action to ensure that these rights
are made real in practice.
HREOC Inspection of Immigration Detention Centres
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission has made a series of recommendations in a report following its inspection of mainland immigration detention facilities late last year.
JRS Eye on Labor’s Immigration Policy
Jesuit Refugee Service Board member Kerry Murphy takes a critical look at the new Federal Government’s policies.
Organisations
Jesuit Refugee Service Australia
Australian
Catholic Migrant & Refugee
Office
International Detention Coalition
National
Council of Churches in Australia Christian World Service, National Program
on Refugees & Displaced People
United Nations High Commission for Refugees
