SACBC Workgroup on Migrants and Refugees

In 2018, the Workgroup’s meeting, organized by the South Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Office for Migrants and Refugees, took place in Johannesburg on the 20th of February and the 17th of September.

Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees within the conference territory is coordinated by a multidisciplinary Team, including SIHMA, Jesuit Refugee Service, Caritas, The Catholic Parliamentary Office, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Directors of Pastoral care of South African Dioces 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. Additionally, 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 as Christ himself and the recent Popes have often told this. The SACBC Office is headed by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, the Adjoin Secretary is fr. Patrick Rakeketsi with the help of sr. Maria Lourdes Rissini, a Scalabrini Sister who is also National Coordinator of Caritas in South Africa.

The members of the group meet twice a year at the Chancery of Johannesburg. Each stakeholder shares the program of his organisation, as well as many issues and projects concerning human mobility that are discussed and analyzed. SIHMA, represented by Executive and Associate Director, usually presents an overview of the migratory phenomenon on the African continent, especially in the southern countries. We also update the stakeholders about activities we prepare concerning formation and the strategies of advocacy of Scalabrini Centre.

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