The Agra Region Commission for Migrants under the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) organized a training program in Jaipur on March 29.
The event took place at Gyan Deep Bhawan, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Jaipur, bringing together priests, religious, and lay faithful to strengthen pastoral policies and initiatives for migrants.
Bishop Joseph Kallarackal of Jaipur and chairman of the Commission for Migrants, Agra Region, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for a structured pastoral response to migrant concerns.
He called for the creation of welcoming parish communities with help desks offering legal aid, employment assistance, and pastoral support.
He also urged collaboration with civil society to uphold migrant rights and dignity.
Kallarackal proposed key initiatives to support migrants in each diocese.
1. Pastoral care—visiting families and addressing mental health concerns.
2. Community engagement—encouraging bishops, priests, religious, and parishioners to actively support migrants.
3. Parish enrollment—ensuring migrants are integrated into parish life for social and spiritual support.
4. Fair wages and child protection—guaranteeing minimum wages for migrant workers and prohibiting child labor in church institutions.
5. De-addiction programs—providing rehabilitation for individuals struggling with substance abuse.
6. Migrant Day celebrations—raising awareness at parish and deanery levels—are underway.
7. Education initiatives—securing access to quality education for underprivileged migrant children.
Kallarackal also said that migrants who are having mental health problems need to be able to get help from de-addiction programs and the diocese.
The training featured expert discussions:
Jesuit Fr. Chinnappa Raj shared experiences from his work with displaced communities in his session, "A Journey with Migrants."
Fr. Jaison Vadassery, executive secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, reinforced the Church’s role in pastoral care.
Advocate Sr. Rani Punnasseril, secretary of the North Region, provided insights on "Rights & Entitlements," equipping participants with knowledge of legal protections and welfare benefits for migrants.
Fr. Siby Mathew, Secretary of the Agra Region Commission for Migrants, led discussions on overcoming barriers and strengthening the Commission's work.
He emphasized the need for widespread awareness programs within religious communities, clergy, and parishes.
Mrs. Sunita George expressed her passion for assisting exploited workers, sharing how she has helped domestic workers rectify marriages and receive sacraments, ensuring their integration into Church life.
Fr. John Meckanrow said, "Church institutions and lay faithful must guarantee fair wages for migrant workers."
He also said that many people who took part strongly believed that people needed to know more about pastoral care and the Church's role in advocating for migrants right away.
Another participant, Sr. Josaine PSA, said she was going to make migrant ministry a bigger part of her congregation's chapter. It was her promise that her congregation would put this mission first and actively participate in it, which would make the pastoral response to migrant concerns stronger.
Saju Paulose, a volunteer with the Commission, pledged to be a voice for migrants in his community, advocating for their rights and freedoms, and ensuring their concerns are heard.
At the end of the training, everyone agreed to put action-oriented strategies into place to build community, give migrants in the Agra Region more power, and encourage solidarity.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
