Indian Church calls for stronger commitment to migrants in seminaries and pastoral formation

Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur, Chairman of the Commission for Migrants, underscored the need for seminaries and formation centers to actively engage with people’s lives and foster greater sensitivity toward migrants and displaced persons on March 13, 2025.

He delivered this message during the combined meeting of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy, and Religious (VSCR) and the Commission for Migrants.

Archbishop Thakur reaffirmed Pope Francis’ vision, emphasizing that the poor must be central to the Church’s mission.

He stressed that priestly and religious formation should be rooted in the lived experiences of the marginalized. “Migrants are the poor of our times, and as Pope Francis reminds us, they are Jesus at our doorsteps,” he stated.

Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, played a pivotal role in inspiring this crucial implementation workshop, highlighting the need for a structured and effective approach to pastoral initiatives.

The three-day meeting, held from March 11 to 13, 2025, at Paalana Bhavan, Bangalore, focused on disseminating and implementing the Pastoral Plan of the CCBI across its 14 regions.

The plan provides a framework to strengthen evangelization, faith formation, social outreach, and pastoral care, ensuring the Church remains mission-driven and adaptable to modern challenges.

The gathering brought together 35 regional secretaries from the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy, and Religious.

Archbishop Thakur called for increased collaboration among religious communities, NGOs, and civil society to support migrants. He urged the Church to take concrete steps, including:

• Raising awareness at the parish and diocesan levels.

• Appointing priests dedicated to migrant ministry.

• Integrating migration issues into seminary formation programs.

• Strengthening networks to facilitate job opportunities and education for migrants.

• Establishing a helpline for migrants in distress. 

The Archbishop emphasized the need for a shift in mindset, advocating for a welcoming and committed approach from clergy and religious leaders. “We must ask ourselves: do we truly believe in the ministry for migrants? If so, we need to act now,” he urged.

The meeting concluded with the development of regional and diocesan action plans aligned with the national pastoral plan.

The Pastoral Plan for the Odisha Region seeks to cultivate spirit-filled, people-centered servant leaders through awareness, orientation, and structured formation.

The plan includes initiatives for clergy, religious, lay faithful, seminaries, and formation houses, with a strong focus on parish-level implementation, diocesan vocation teams, youth engagement, and mentorship programs.

Participants proposed innovative ideas, including the establishment of associations to support vocations and the development of the “Race to Grace” digital app.

This app will provide interactive content, mentorship, and formation resources to guide individuals on their vocational journey, with regular updates and evaluations to foster deeper commitment.

The Commission for Migrants focuses on migrant empowerment, with the Jashpur Diocese and Odisha Region (source areas) prioritizing awareness, formation, and pastoral care, while the Archdiocese of Delhi and Tamil Nadu Region (destination areas) emphasize inclusion, advocacy, and social integration.

At the end of the session, participants expressed their appreciation for the depth of the discussions and the clear direction provided.

Fr. Rasmikant Nayak from Chhattisgarh praised the enthusiastic participation and the well-structured program, noting that the pastoral plan will aid prospective migrants in safe migration and provide hope to returnees in distress.

Fr. Robert Kujur from the Diocese of Dibrugarh valued the insights gained, particularly in migrant care and pre-departure orientation at the parish level.

Sr. Marykutty Antony, Provincial of the JMJ Congregation, lauded the collaboration between the Migrant Commission and the VSCR Commission, believing the deliberations will result in tangible positive changes for migrants and the Church.

Dr. Daisy Panna, a medical practitioner from the Archdiocese of Delhi, said, "The workshop was fruitful and enriching. It clarified my role both as a National Council Member of VSCR and as a lay representative. It strengthened, motivated, and reiterated my commitment. Now, I see my role as a privilege and an opportunity to contribute."

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Christopher Vimalraj declared that the “mission possible” goal had been achieved through this collaborative initiative, emphasizing resilience and determination in addressing challenges.

The dedicated efforts of Fr. Charles Leon (Executive Secretary of VSCR) and Fr. Jaison Vadassery (Executive Secretary of the Commission for Migrants) were instrumental in executing this program.

Participants left with renewed hope and determination for the effective implementation of the pastoral plans under the CCBI.