On October 21, 1993, Pope John Paul II said: “The Church’s social teaching supports the dignity and rights of people on the move and demands that adequate solutions be found for the suffering that forces people to flee their homes. It also demands that governments protect and care for foreigners in their nations. For Jesus, the stranger who asks for hospitality, or the immigrant who asks for acceptance, is a member of the same family” (Plenary meeting of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People).
Pastoral care of Migrants and refugees within the conference territory is co-ordinated by a multidisciplinary team, including Jesuit Refugee Services, Caritas, The Catholic Parliamentary Office, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and various refugee consortiums.
The PCMR acts as an official Church voice on issues relating to migrants and refugees, and a channel of communication between Diocesan Offices and the Bishops’ Conference. It provides a mechanism for effective consultation and coordination among Catholic bodies and other groups involved in migrant and refugee activities, and it makes appropriate representation to Government and other bodies on matters relating to migrants and refugees.
The work of the PCMR reflects the Church’s universal compassion for those in need. Christ himself and the recent Popes have often told this.
Contact Details:
Sr Maria Rissini
Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees
SACBC
129 Main Street, Waterkloof – Pretoria
PO BOX 941
Pretoria
0001
Tel: +27 12 323 6458
Fax: +27 12 326 6218
