Three generations of Kiwis ‘down the road’, it dawned on me that not only am I from a migrant family but I too am also a migrant. 27 years in Peru; 5 years in Venezuela; a stint in Australia: 5 years here in the Rio Grande Valley on the border the USA with Mexico. Now Read more
In the time it takes you to read this article, about a hundred people around the world will be forced to leave their homes because of persecution, war or violence. In fact, more people are displaced now than at any other time in human history — some 65 million, 22 million of whom are classified Read more
On behalf of the world’s often unwanted refugees and migrants, Pope Francis in his Jan. 1 World Day of Peace message titled “Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace” pleads: “In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and Read more
Caritas, as one of four organisations approved for the new Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme, will lead the coordination of a number of Catholic organisations who will support a refugee family to settle in New Zealand. The other organisations taking part are: Gleniti Baptist Church (Timaru), South West Baptist Church (Christchurch) and the Society Read more
In a message the Vatican translated into eight languages, Pope Francis has sharp words for politicians he says are stoking racism. Migration has become a top political issue in many countries including the United States, Italy, Australia and Germany. Francis’s speech was released in the lead-up to the 2018 World Day of Peace which will Read more
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made finding a solution to the Manus Island standoff a priority. The remaining refugees and asylum seekers of the Lombrom Naval Base insist that their new locations in Lorengau closer to community areas will be unsafe, and refuse to leave. During this crisis, the Turnbull government has become visibly Read more
Migration is a complex issue that has generated xenophobia, even in traditionally Catholic countries, Pope Francis says. Speaking to an International Federation of Universities conference, Francis reflected on the conference theme “Refugees and Migrants in a Globalized World: Responsibilities and Responses of Universities”. He said there is an urgent need “to do further studies into Read more
Callista Gingrich is the United States’ new ambassador-designate to Rome, according to a statement from the US Embassy to the Holy See. The Senate confirmed her election with a vote of 70-23. News sources say Gingrich is a practising Catholic. She is the third wife of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich who is Read more
Priests who join Poland’s anti-migrant demonstrations may want to think twice. The country’s primate, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, says if he hears of a protest against refugees “where my priests participate, I will have a swift response: each priest who joins in will be suspended. “There’s no other path to take. I am responsible for my Read more
From the very first moments of his pontificate, Jorge Bergoglio signalled a departure in style from that of his immediate predecessors. His taking of the name Francis, his eschewing the full papal vestments, and his appeal to the masses gathered in Saint Peter’s Square below to pray for him, before imparting his own blessing, all Read more