Welcome to the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice
The Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice will work to break the silence surrounding the poor. Our goal is to help people recognize the social, political and economic conditions surrounding them and take action against these oppressive elements.
This is accomplished by offering educational workshops/seminars for service providers.
We will work to form linkages, networks and partnerships among service providers so they can be effective in building a foundation of community support.
“It would be better no one be hungry, and this necessity did not exist” – St. Augustine
CHRISTMAS 2023
This 2013 file photo shows the fresco of St. Francis of Assisi adoring the baby Jesus in the Chapel of the Nativity in Greccio, Italy. The chapel is built in the grotto that tradition says is where St. Francis arranged the first Nativity scene in 1223. (CNS photo/Octavio Duran)
“UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN,
Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
Wishing you a very Blessed and Holy Christmas 2023
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EASTER 2023
Peace is possible, peace is a duty, peace is everyone’s prime responsibility. Pope Francis
Happy and Blessed Easter to all!
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CHRISTMAS 2022
“Amid our Christmas festivities and families and communities, we will hopefully pause from time to time and give thanks for God’s Word, Jesus, who lives among us.
The Word became flesh and lived among us. At the heart of our lives, at the heart of our journey of faith, are not ourselves and our own words and thoughts.” Pope Francis
Wishing you a very happy and blessed Christmas 2022.
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AUGUSTINIAN CENTRE & CANADIAN RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE
The Augustinian Centre is pleased to announce that the Centre has become a full member of the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC). Please read the letter from Fr. Francis Galvan O.S.A. the Chaplain for the Centre.
Fr. Francis Letter CRC June 2022
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RED WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 17, 2021
Our brothers and sisters in the faith are subjected to persecution on a daily basis. We want to make them known, and we want to be in solidarity with them.
This day, intended as a reminder that in 2021, Christians are still suffering persecution and religious discrimination.
Please visit the website for further information: Red Wednesday
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VIDEO RELEASE – FR. ROBERT STARK – MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
Fr. Robert Stark is the Regional Coordinator Migrants and Refugees Section Dicastery for Integral Human Development. His region cover all of North America. The Vatican, through his office, publishes a monthly news letter. This conversation with Brian Dwyer from the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice outlines his work and ministry of supporting and accompanying migrants and refugees.
Please watch the video conversation by choosing this link: Fr. Stark
EASTER 2021
“I have seen the Lord”, Mary Magdalene
In his Lenten message Pope Francis says, “we are going to Jerusalem”. This is where Jesus dies and is risen. We join Mary Magdalene and pray to be able to “see” the Lord. Jesus tells us where he is to be found. “I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.” Matt 25:40. He is referring to the sick, the poor, those in prison and the STRANGER – as we continue our ministry of welcoming the stranger, let us remember Jesus the migrant who brought us light and peace in his resurrection.
Happy and blessed Easter to all of you from all of us.
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CHRISTMAS – 2020
“No pandemic or crisis can turn off the light of Christ” – Pope Francis
In many of our homes the nativity scene is rich with symbols that touch us deeply, and bring delight to children of all ages. These symbols are full of hope for us in this time of crisis and pandemic. Jesus is the love of God, who was revealed to us to reach that goodness which has been poured out on the world.
“God will once again be born in us and in our midst.”
From all of us here at CRSC we wish you a blessed and holy Christmas season and the New Year.
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ADVENT 2020
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
The Calendar is to help you pay special attention to internally displaced persons while you live Advent fully. The Calendar presents Pope Francis’s thoughts, reflections, prayer intentions, and much more.
Please see the calendar here: Calendar
The Activity Page is at this link: Activity
There is a creative and enriching activity called “Displaced like Jesus”. It’s an opportunity to learn about the reality which displaced persons experience. This game will help you to encounter the least of our brothers and sisters, to get a deeper knowledge of their lives, and to learn about good practices.
Printing the Calendar is at this link: Print Calendar
RED WEDNESDAY – SHINING A LIGHT ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION IN THE WORLD
Wednesday November 18 Canada celebrated “Red Wednesday” – a day to shine a light on the persecution of Christians around the world. Cathedrals were bathed in red light in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal for Red Wednesday.
Sixty-five Roman Catholic parishes in Southern Alberta will participate in Red Wednesday by illuminating the façade of their churches, hosting a mass, wearing red or praying a rosary. Red Wednesday is a day dedicated to drawing attention to persecuted Christians around the world.
It was the third year that Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral was lit up for Red Wednesday, an annual global event in remembrance of Christians who have died or are being persecuted for their faith.
Mark von Riedemann, director for public affairs and religious freedom of Aid to the Church in Need speaks about Red Wednesday. Please watch the video here: Red Wednesday
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WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES (WDMR) 2020
WEBINAR – TORONTO
The WDMR will be celebrated on Sunday September 27. Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Forced Like Jesus to Flee” focusing on internally displaced people (IDP). The Archdiocese of Toronto has prepared an event leading up to the WDMR. Attached is a flyer for the event.
Archdiocese of Toronto – Webinar – Christian Persecution
Date: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24Time: 7:00pm Eastern
Speakers: Deacon Rudy Ovcjak (Office for Refugees ORAT); Carl Hetu (Catholic Near East Welfare Association CNEWA); Marie-Claude Lalonde (Aid to the Church in Need ACN)Moderator: Neil MacCarthy (Archdiocese of Toronto)
Please register at: http://bit.ly/ChristianPersecutionWebinar
Please see the article in the Catholic Register on the topic of Christian persecution: Christian Presence Shrinking
WDMR MASS – TORONTO
Date: Sunday September 27 @ 10:00am Eastern
Celebrant and homilist His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins,
Live stream link: www.stmichaelscathedralcom/live
Following the live-stream, the Mass along with pre-recorded videos from several guest speakers will be made available on ORAT’s website at www.orat.ca and on ORAT’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ORAT-Office-for-Refugees-Archdiocese-of-Toronto-324051570821.
WDMR MASS – VANCOUVER
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time, the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Mass will be live-streamed for all who would like to join in prayerful celebration and solidarity with our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.
The link to the live-streamed Mass celebrated by His Grace J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of Vancouver:
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Care of the Earth, concern for Migrants are connected
The Catholic Register published an article on August 27, 2020 linking the care for creation to concern for migrants. The Catholic Church and Christians around the world mark Sept. 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and celebrate the Season of Creation from that date through Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is Sept. 27.
Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny says the “common thread” among the celebrations, especially in 2020, the cardinal said, “is our common home in which the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are one cry.”
“The two situations are more than parallels; they connect concretely in the area of food production,” he said. “The need for the energies, talents and creativity of migrants has become more evident everywhere; so too has the need for ensuring the survival of earth, air and water.”
You can read the full article here: Environment and Migrants
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From Jordan to Morden: Iraqi family thrilled to be in Manitoba under new program to resettle skilled refugees
On August 9, 2020 Nicholas Keung wrote an article in the Toronto Star regarding a program which brings skilled workers and their families to Canada.
The program is Economic Mobility Pathways. Through the initiative, candidates with skills and knowledge can apply for permanent residence as economic migrants, instead of as resettled refugees sponsored by the federal government and private community groups — a process that can take years.
In April 2019, Abdulghani, 35, was selected by Morden, a city of less than 10,000 people, which recommended him for the Manitoba provincial immigration nomination program. The city is committed to offering wraparound supports to the families, including job-matching support.
Abdulghani, who has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Technology-Baghdad, said he and his wife Hajir Saad Ghareeb, 27, left Kurdistan in 2015 for Jordan after racism against them and other Sunnis, in particular in Northern Iraq, intensified. Abdulghani applied for scholarships to continue his studies and finally got the financial support of a German Catholic charity to enroll in a master’s program in mechatronics engineering at Philadelphia University in Jordan. He graduated in February.
According to Talent Beyond Boundaries, there are now 20,000 refugees registered in its talent database — most of them now living in Jordan and Lebanon. Fifty-seven have been shortlisted for Canada’s new project. Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Yukon have also signed on to participate in the program.
You can read the entire story here: Abdulghani & Hajir
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Refuge Advocates Declare Victory
On August 2 the Catholic Register published an article by Michael Swan dealing with the Safe Third Country Agreement between the USA and Canada. The position of Canada is that this agreement violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it sends refugees back to detention in the USA.
Norbert Piche from the Jesuit Refugee Service supported the decision from Canada. Loli Rico, co-director of the FCJ Refugee Centre also supported the decision. On the other hand Peter Nobleton of the Canadian Council of Churches indicated that the decision would be appealed, but urges the government not to appeal.
Harvard Law professor Deborah Anker says that conditions in the US detention centres has worsened and are more dangerous. Don Kerwin of the Scalabrini Father’s Centre for Migrant Studies said that the US is trying its best to eviscerate the asylum system. He indicated that the Canadian approach to treatment of refugees is understandable but deplorable.
You can read the entire article here: Safe Third Country Agreement
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Iraqi Christians Could Face Extinction
In an article published by the Catholic Register on July 7, 2020 there is a report from the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The report, “Life after ISIS: New Challenges for Christianity in Iraq,” is based on a survey of Christians in the liberated Ninevah Plains.
The ACN says the region’s Christian population could plummet to 23,000 within four years. It reports that the state of Iraq itself is burdened by sanctions, poor security, extreme corruption, and an unpredictable political system.
In 2017 the ACN launched a plan to rebuild Christian homes in Iraq. It helped restore 2,860 damaged or destroyed Christian homes in six cities and villages on the Ninevah Plains. It now plans to focus on rebuild the infrastructure of church-run facilities.
The ACN is calling on the Governments of Iraq to restore security in the region. ACN says its surveys “continue to reveal the Iraqi Christians have a resilience not only to survive but, given more favorable conditions, to emerge from the margins to serve as an important instrument in the rebuilding of a peaceful, pluralistic and healthy society.”
You can read the entire article here: Iraqi Christians
Crisis could bring spike in refugee backlog
The Catholic Register, in its July 15, 2020 edition reports that refugee sponsors are worried about the backlog building up as they wait for travel restrictions to ease so they can start again helping new arrivals ease into jobs, apartments and communities.
“In a normal year we would have welcomed somewhere between 100 and 300 refugee families (between 225 and 650 people) during the March to July period. This year it is zero,” said Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto director Deacon Rudy Ovcjak in an email.
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that sponsors have been free to submit applications and in-Canada processing of those applications has continued. But the process stops there. The final stage in which the applications are sent to overseas visa posts, where interviews with refugees are arranged, is suspended. Only when conditions allow, will there be any resumption of processing.
IRCC media relations officer Rémi Lariviére indicated that appropriate documentation and instructions to help settle refugees will be sent to sponsors at the appropriate time. Citizens for Public Justice refugee expert Stephen Kaduuli says that backlogs are still a big issue. As of July 31, 2019, the actual wait time for a refugee sponsored through a Sponsorship Agreement Holder was well over two years (27 months). For other parts of the private sponsorship system the wait times are nearly as long — 23 months for community sponsors and 19 months for “Group of Five” sponsors.
The article concludes; less than 15 per cent of the 1.1 million immigrants the Canadian government was planning to welcome between 2020 and 2022 are refugees. Almost two-thirds (63.4 per cent) of sponsored refugees arriving in Canada in 2019 were privately sponsored.
Please read the entire article here: Spike in Refugee backlog
In the silence of our cities, the Easter Gospel will resound
Pope Francis message for Easter 2020 is quite poignant. As we live in quiet silence these days, let us contemplate the greatest mystery our Christian faith – the Resurrection of Jesus. In St. Luke’s gospel chapter 24 we read that the women came to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. When they entered the tomb “suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.” Let us pray that this light of Jesus may spread into the hearts of all. We pray for each other and for those suffering (refugees, migrants, the sick) and all those who need our prayers.
Easter is also the beginning of the new world, set free from the slavery of sin and death: the world open at last to the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of love, peace and fraternity.
From all of us here at the CRSC – Happy Easter – the Lord is Risen -Alleluia, Alleluia!
You’re a Refugee. Now You Face COVID-19.
Refugees, who face impossible situations even in better times, are being pushed beyond human endurance by the coronavirus pandemic. Susan Korah wrote this article for Convivium published on March 24, 2020.
“This is a story about a segment of humanity in extremis—people caught either in a war against religious freedom, in the crossfires of actual military combat, or both—and in the grip of the deadly coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the world like a raging forest fire.” Susan Korah cites the example of people who fled from Pakistan to Thailand. Peter Bhatti is the chairman of International Christian Voice, a Toronto-based NGO that advocates for the human rights of Pakistan’s beleaguered faith minorities. He says, ““Thailand is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention on Refugees. This means refugees have no rights there, no access to education or healthcare, and no right to work and make a living. Most continue to live there as illegal aliens because religious extremism in Pakistan is escalating day by day.”
That was in relatively better times, before the COVID-19 outbreak hit Thailand.
“They are fed a diet of only rice and cucumber water. Skin diseases, breathing problems, asthma, anxiety and depression were rampant. Today, if coronavirus infects people in these centres, the consequences would be devastating, with no medical treatment available at all,” says Peter.
The Sweden-based NGO, A Demand for Action (ADFA), is heroically continuing its refugee-assisting operations in the face of massive financial and logistical challenges. “These people, these children have fled massacres and genocide; they have been living in appalling conditions. Many have weak immune systems, and now this coronavirus has exploded,” says Nuri Kino founder and coordinator of ADFA. Currently 15 ADFA volunteers are working on the ground.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, another humanitarian organization that helps refugees in 30 countries, is stepping up its efforts including a hygiene and information campaign in Afghanistan and Iran.
Even countries like Canada, which can afford billions of dollars in financial relief for its own citizens during the crisis, will be hard-pressed to help refugees outside its own borders.
The only way we can stand in solidarity with international refugees, Secretary General Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council exhorted the world to do, is for each of us to become profoundly aware of our common humanity, and to live in accordance with the new rules that health experts have advised us to follow.
Please read the entire article: Now You Face COVID-19
“ON THEM THE LIGHT HAS SHINED”
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light; those who
lived in a land of deep darkness
– on them light has shined.” Is 9:2
From all of use here at the CRSC, have a blessed and peaceful Christmas season.
“Do Your Fair Share” – Government Told
On October 31, the Catholic Register published an article by Michael Swan in which he reported that private sponsorship groups will resettle almost twice as many refugees as the federal government between now and 2021. Sponsorship Agreement Holder Council chair Libby Angel and Canadian Council for Refugees executive director Janet Dench believe that there are concerns with this present process.
The Global Refugee Forum meets in Geneva. They want the government to match the private sponsorship efforts by pledging to sponsor 20,000 refugees. However, private sponsorship of refugees. “I would push that monies be directed to the private sponsorship of refugees, who have a much better record in terms of integration outcomes,” said Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto director Deacon Rudy Ovcjak. A study of refugee outcomes published by Statistics Canada in March of this year points out that privately sponsored refugees earn more money and are more self reliant than government-assisted refugees, “at least in the initial years.”
Whether it involves increases in private sponsorships or government-assisted refugees, Ovcjak does agree that overall numbers have to rise.
You can read the entire article here: Fair Share
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS & REFUGEES
SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
Pope Francis unveils sculpture commemorating migrants and refugees
Following the celebration of Mass and the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis unveils a sculpture entitled “Angels Unawares” by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmaltz, in St Peter’s Square.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) will be on 29 September 2019. On this occasion, Pope Francis will celebrate a Holy Mass in Rome, in the Vatican, and asks us to join him with the slogan: “It is not just about migrants”.
With this theme, Pope Francis wants to highlight that his frequent appeals for migrants, refugees, displaced and trafficked people should be understood as integral to his deep concern for all the inhabitants of today’s existential peripheries.
Please watch the video of Pope Francis as he elaborates on this message. Putting the least in first place
Pope Francis says, “The ugly cruelty of our time tempts us to abandon any dream of freedom. And so we close in on ourselves, within our fragile certainty and security, inside the circle of people we like, in our safe routine. Withdrawing into ourselves is a sign of defeat, and it increases our fear of “others”. Please watch what Pope Francis says: It’s about our fears
Migration and refugees have been in our world from the beginning of time. Here is Pope Francis speaking about this human phenomenon. Migrants & Refugees
Fr. Michael Czerny SJ offers some comments on the WDMR2019: The Holy Father’s Message
Here is a link to the Popes message for the 2019 World Day of Migrants and Refugees: WDMR 2019
For more information, please visit the website: WDMR2019
Canadians Respond to Refugees’ Plight
In the September 25th edition of the Catholic Register, Michael Swan reported that the people of Canada have responded well to the plight of the world’s refugee situation. The Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT conducted a mission trip to Bangkok Thailand in August. They identified 65 families to be resettled to Canada. Toronto agreed to accept 8 families, and Calgary has agreed to accept 3. Other dioceses in Canada are being asked to accept some families as well. In Toronto, up to $500,000 has been set aside to assist parishes that may not have the fund-raising capacity to sponsor a family and cover the rent and upkeep through its first year in Canada.
THE LORD IS RISEN – ALLELUIA!!
“We are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song” – the words of St. Augustine. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of our Catholic faith. The only response that makes sense is the one the church will sing for fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, “Alleluia! Praise to our God!” As we begin this Easter season 2019 we pray that a gracious God will help us move through life with the courage to risk dying daily in order to find ourselves. Every day of our lives we do indeed live out the paschal mystery of Jesus, a mystery which, the church prays, will enable us all to discover what it means to walk with God as his disciples.
From all of us here at the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council – Happy Easter! Alleluia!
REFUGEES BY ANY NAME
Canadian Elizabeth Woods is leading a Jesuit Refugee Service urban support program in Jordan. She wrote an article published in the February 25 edition of “Convivium” a publication that brings news, commentary and research on issues affecting daily life for Canadians of all faiths.
In the article Elizabeth focuses on the Government of Canada demanding the designation “refugee” on official UN documents. She proposes to stop using this term. She notes that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Jordan is no longer issuing official refugee status to all refugees. As a result, most applicants get a document identifying them as asylum seekers, not refugees. The result is that many governments outside Jordan do not resettle those who lack official refugee designation.
Woods remarks, ““Opportunities for legal employment are limited for non-Syrian refugees because only Syrians can get work permits,” she says. “This results in extremely exploitative labour situations. Racism is rampant, especially for Somali and Sudanese refugees.”
The Jesuit Refugee Service has a uniquely humanitarian role to play. In the spirit of accompanying displaced people on their journey, it offers personalized services and visits with follow-ups to refugee families.
In conclusion, the article clearly states, “With her hands-on experience and close-up view from the ground, Canada’s refugee policy makers would do well to listen closely to Woods’ advice.”
Please read the entire article here: Refugees by any name
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
PASTORAL ORIENTATIONS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING
On January 17, 2019 the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development published a handbook on human trafficking and migrant and refugee matters. It is the purpose of the Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking to provide an understanding of Human Trafficking and an appreciation of what motivates and sustains the much-needed long-term struggle. Its mission is to assist the Bishops of the Catholic Church and all those serving these vulnerable groups.
The document is divided into several parts, beginning with an introduction and definition of some term. The main section is entitled “Reality and Responses”. The subsections deal with the causes of trafficking, moving this issue out of the shadows, its ugly face, and finally a response from the Church and society.
In terms of a response the document outlines three aspects. One, is bolstering cooperation, then support to trafficking survivors, and finally promoting reintegration.
In the conclusion the document states, “While the immediate objective is the liberation and rehabilitation of all who are entangled in HT, the ultimate goal is to dismantle and eradicate this most evil and sinful enterprise of deception, entrapment, domination and exploitation.”
Please read the entire document here: Pastoral Orientations
Refer for more information to the International Catholic Migration Commission –ICMC
LIGHTS ON THE WAYS OF HOPE
Migrants and Refugees Section of the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development has published a 488 page document containing the speeches, exhortations and letters of Pope Francis on the topic of migrants and refugees.
It begins with statements from the beginning of the Pope’s Pontificate in March 2013 until December 2017. In the forward the Pope says, “Like human history, the history o salvation has been marked by displacements – migration, exile, flight, exodus – all reaching out with hope for a better future elsewhere.”
The Pope hopes that this document will illuminate our steps on the pathways of hope, providing food for inspiration and prayer, preaching and pastoral action.
There is an online version of the document to be found here: Lights on the Ways
The full document can be found here: Lights on the Ways of Hope
The International Catholic Migration Commission has further information on migrants and refugee resettlement. Please visit their site: ICMC – Refugee Resettlement
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2018
The celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas attracts the attention of the whole world. We notice so many lights of many colours on trees, houses and our Churches which are bright with the light of Christ. The light is breaking through the darkness, just as Christ broke through the darkness of sin and gives us the light of peace. We too can spread a little light by following the example of Pope Francis when he invited a group of athletes to a Christmas time lunch on Dec. 18. This event was a witness of charity and fraternity through the language of sport which, by its very nature, fosters inclusion and respect for the dignity of the least.
We at the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council hope and pray that your Christmas is bright, and that you will also find a moment to be a witness of charity and fraternity in your family or neighbourhood.
May the light of Christ come into your hearts this Christmas season and throughout the year!
You may contact us at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
“Migrants and refugees suffer because of ‘guilty silence’ of many”. Pope Francis
On Nov. 2, 2018 Catholic News Service published an article based on the World Social Forum on Migrations.
The World Social Forum on Migrations took place in Mexico early in November, 2018. Pope Francis addressed the group and spoke of the “throwaway culture” that has become a pandemic today. He referred to the last ones who are migrants, refugees and the displaced and they are ignored, exploited, violated and abused through the guilty silence of many.
Jesuit Father Michael Czerny, undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugee Section of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development also spoke. He highlighted the 20-point Pastoral Action Plan of the Church, telling participants that a “change of mentality” was needed in order “to pass from considering others as a threat to our comfort, and value them” as people who can contribute to society through their experiences.
You can read the full article here: Migrants & Refugees Suffer
The text version is found here: Migrants & Refugees Suffer – Nov. 2, 2018
In September 2016 the United Nations adopted the “New York Declaration“. The UN General Assembly agreed to develop a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Preparations for the compact included regional and thematic meetings and consultations with stakeholders between April and November 2017.
On 13 July 2018, the General Assembly reached consensus on a final draft of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, set to be formally adopted at an intergovernmental conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 10 and 11 December 2018.
Some of the highlights of the compact include the following:
- It aims to protect the safety, dignity and human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants.
- It seeks to minimize adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to emigrate.
- The Compact aims to leverage the potential contribution of migration to sustainable development in countries of origin and destination.
- In addition, it sets out 23 actionable commitments, spells out means of implementation and provides a framework for follow-up and review.
- For follow-up and review, the Global Compact calls for the establishment of the International Migration Review Forum. Every four years starting in 2022, the Forum will provide a global platform for Member States to discuss and share progress on the implementation of all aspects of the Global Compact.
You may read the final draft by following this link: Global Compact for Migration
Migration Crisis – Call to Action for Canadian Church
The Catholic Register published an article on July 11 indicating that the Church in Canada must play a key role in dealing with the global migration crisis. The Church and Migration conference took place in Toronto hosted by the Dominican Institute of Toronto and the Toronto School of Theology.
Many speakers agreed the rhetoric used when talking about the global migration crisis must change in order to protect the dignity of displaced people. “It is migration that brings about the Church into existence,” said Peter Phan, Ignacio Ellacuria chair of Catholic Social Thought from Georgetown University. “I’d like to say that outside migration, there is no Church.”
Alessandra Santopadre from Montreal said sometimes mainstream media does not do a good job of describing the people her office serves.
Loly Rico, co-executive director of the FCJ Refugee Centre, which runs four houses in Toronto that serve “precarious migrants” said we need to see their gender, their identity, where they are coming from, in a way that you can have better services for them.
Please read the entire article here: Call to Action – Canadian Church
It is also available here: Migration crisis calls for action
Please provide your comments: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Family Unity – Key to Migration Agreement
Catholic News Service has published an article concerning the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, a document to be presented at the United Nations in the fall. The Vatican’s nuncio to the United nations welcomed the inclusion of family lifer and unity in the document.
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the permanent observer to the United Nations also indicated that the Vatican is deeply concerned by the deletion of services, specifically to ‘shelter, health, education and justice.
Finally, there was concern about removing the term “non-refoulement,” which is a principle of international law that migrants cannot be forced to return to countries in which they are likely to face persecution.
You can read the entire article here: Family Unity
The article is also available at this link: Family Life Key to Migration Agreement
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Pope: Defend, protect migrants rather than suspect them
Canadian Catholic News has published an article referring to the recent statement by Pope Francis regarding the treatment of migrants. The Pope was speaking to the Holy See Mexico Conference on International Migration.
The Pope said that the focus should not be on number, but on people each with their own culture, history and aspirations. He further indicated that there needs to be a change in mindset regarding immigration.
The Pope made a strong point by saying: “We must move from considering others as threats to our comfort to valuing them as persons whose life experience and values can contribute greatly to the enrichment of our society.”
Human trafficking, the displaced hope that we will tear down the wall of ‘comfortable and silent complicity’, said the Pope.
Cardinal Parolin said he hopes that steps taken so far can hopefully “reverse the logic of the globalization of indifference, replacing it with the globalization of solidarity.”
A concern was raised about the anti-migration efforts taken by the U.S. government, including the separation of families, said Luis Videgaray Caso, Mexican secretary for foreign affairs. He added, “We understand the legal foundation of this action. However, we cannot agree to actions of this nature.”
Cardinal Parolin summed it up this way, “It is a problem, or rather a global phenomenon, that needs everyone’s participation. Nobody can turn their back.”
You can read the entire article by choosing this link: Defend & Protect Migrants
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Faith Groups Care for Refugees in ways Governments can’t!
In an article published by Catholic News Service on May 7, 2018, the reality that faith-based organizations are uniquely able to care for migrants and refugees was clearly stated to the UN. This is because they employ a holistic, person-centered approach that respects the human dignity of each individual, and they have established networks throughout the world, said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the UN.
The event, “Sharing the Journey of Migrants and Refugees: An Interfaith Perspective on the Global Compacts” was co-sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See and Caritas Internationalis.
These Faith-based groups are motivated by faith but granted resettlement responsibilities by the government because of their proven effectiveness, he said. These groups describe shared religious and ethical beliefs that inspire them to champion the rights of migrants and encourage good behavior by displaced people and the communities that host them.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas Internationalis said that some people who are afraid of migrants or refugees have had very little personal encounter with them. By meeting them, touching their wounds, listening to their stories and dreams, we might see ourselves in them.
People do not leave their homes for pleasure. They do so because they are forced by circumstances, according to Mohammed Abu Zaid, senior judge of the Sunni Family Court of Saida, Lebanon.
Gijun Sugitani said global networks connect religious leaders in countries of origin and countries of destination.
Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis of France said that each faith calls upon individuals and communities to welcome, assist, and protect the refugees, migrants, and the displaced in our midst.”
Please read the entire article here: Faith Groups Care
You can read a summary of the article here: Faith-Groups Care!
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) – YouTube
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Canadian Church Ready to Help Rohingya Refugees
Catholic parishes, ministries, religious orders and institutions stand ready to help should Ottawa heed Bob Rae’s advice on the Rohingya crisis. In an article published in the Catholic Register on April 10, 2018 Michael Swan outlines the background and the proposal for the Canadian Catholic Church to provide assistance.
A report prepared by Bob Rae, commissioned by Prime Minister Trudeau, outlines several ways the Canadian Government can help. His report is entitled “Tell Them We’re Human“. These include: engaging with the local Government, offer financial support, establish a working group to address the issues, investigate crimes, accept refugees from Bangladesh and from within Myanmar.
The Office for Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) is quite willing to help in any way. “Our parishes have an overwhelmingly good will that they’ve exhibited towards assisting refugees”, Deacon Rudy, the Director said. “I don’t think this would differ with regards to supporting the Rohingya refugees.”
Stephane Vinhas from Development and Peace indicated that they are ready to help. The Canadian Jesuits International have set up a community college and are working toward establishing the Myanmar Leadership Institute, training people to be ready for real democracy when it comes. The Jesuit Refugee Service, also supported by Canadian Jesuits International, has just received permission for the next three months to work with Caritas Bangladesh.
Please read the entire article here: Rohingya
You can also find it here: Canadian Church to Help Rohingya April 2018
CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD
The resurrection of Christ is the crowning truth of our faith. The Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) wishes all the best for you and your families and loved ones at this very special time.
May the good news of Easter fill your hearts with joy!
Blessed Easter to all of you from all of us at CRSC!
Pope Francis: “Catholics – Dialogue with Government”
Liberating the poor, the oppressed and the persecuted is an integral part of what God wants his church to do, Pope Francis said. This is the message from Pope Francis as reported by Cindy Wooden in the March 8 edition of the Catholic Register.
Catholics must promote dialogue with government leaders, “a dialogue that takes into account people’s actual experiences, sufferings and aspirations, in order to remind everyone once more of his or her responsibilities” said Pope Francis. He was addressing participants in the plenary council of the International Catholic Migration Commission, which was meeting in Rome.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ top collaborator, said the Catholic Church and Catholic agencies that work with migrants and refugees around the world are called to educate, advocate and seek alternative host countries in the face of a growing “refusal to welcome” newcomers. He decried how “the most economically advanced” nations, especially those who “undeniably owe a great deal of their development to migrants,” are now trying to close their borders.
Michele Klein Solomon, director of the Global Compact for Migration of the U.N. International Organization for Migration, said the “single greatest challenge” facing those who assist migrants is “the demonization of migrants and refugees, and this discourse that is so damaging: blaming individuals, labeling individuals as criminals, as threats, as terrorists, as coming to society to try to take social services, to take jobs.”
“It is not enough to complain; we have to appeal to other states to do more” said Walter Brill, International Catholic Migration Commission organization’s director of operations.
You can read the entire article here: Dialogue with Gov’t March 2018
The full article is also available from the Catholic Register: Pope Urges Dialogue
Counteract ‘refusal to welcome‘ Migrants
Catholic News Service published an article by Cindy Wooden in the March 6, 2018 edition of the Catholic Register. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ top collaborator, decried how “the most economically advanced” nations, especially those who “undeniably owe a great deal of their development to migrants,” are now trying to close their borders. The cardinal urged Catholic agencies and bishops’ conferences to provide fact-based information that will help “dispel many unfounded prejudices and fears regarding the reception of foreigners. These remarks took place at the annual International Catholic Migration Commission meeting in March in Rome.
Carol Batchelor, director of the Division of International Protection for the U.N. refugee agency, told the conference there are 66 million refugees or forcibly displaced persons in the world today – “the highest number ever” – and that a refugee child’s average wait for resettlement is now 17 years, “their entire childhood.”
Michele Klein Solomon, director of the Global Compact for Migration of the U.N. International Organization for Migration, said the “single greatest challenge” facing those who assist migrants is “the demonization of migrants and refugees, and this discourse that is so damaging.
From October through the end of February, the commission managed to resettle only about 100 people. It is not enough to complain; we have to appeal to other states to do more.
You can read the article in its entirety here: Catholics Must Counteract March 6, 2018
This is also available from the Catholic Register: Catholics Must Counteract
About 45,000 privately sponsored refugees backlogged
A Backlog of about 45,000 refugees is a worry for the Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) in Canada. The Catholic Register published an article by Michael Swan dated February 23, 2018 entitled “About 45,000 privately sponsored refugees backlogged”. Deacon Rudy Ovcjak of the Office for Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) reported that there is a backlog in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR).
Refugees in Iraq and Lebanon who have Church sponsors can be in Canada in 15 to 18 months. Those in Ethiopia it is 68 months and from India it is seven years.
Erin Pease Director of the Hamilton Diocese Office of Refugees says that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have not been adequately resourced. Further, she says that “while PSR arrivals are set to increase in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the arrival targets are not sufficiently high to reduce the PSR inventory to a reasonable size that can be managed within a reasonable timeframe — seemingly established by IRCC to be a 12-month term — unless significant human resource changes are made at key IRCC missions overseas.”
Paulette Johnson, the sponsorship coordinator in Edmonton believes the Government is making progress and will meet its target by 2020.
In total, Sponsorship Agreement Holders across Canada were allowed to submit 7,500 new cases last year. This year they will be allowed 8,000 new applications.
You can read the entire article at this link: Refugees Backlogged
Please send us a comment: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2018
“Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting and Integrating Migrants and Refugees”
The theme for the 104th annual World Day of Migrants & Refugees was “Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees” as announced by Pope Francis. Many dioceses across Canada engaged in events to especially mark this important day.
In Vancouver British Columbia, Archbishop J. Michael Miller C.S.B. celebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Parish where many people from various backgrounds attended. Many of the prayers for the Mass were offered in various languages. Following Mass there was a cultural celebration with newly arrived participants from various cultures performing. Food from various parts of the world was also served.
In Hamilton Ontario, Bishop Crosby celebrated a Multicultural Mass on January 21, 2018 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Music for the Mass was provided by a variety of cultures and languages. Newcomers sponsored to Canada under the Private Sponsorship for Refugees Program as well as the Blended Visa Office Referred program were among those who gathered for the event! Please see the pictures and description here: Multicultural Mass
In Windsor Ontario, the Asmaro Chaldean Society held a Mass on December 28 for newcomers and their families.
In Toronto Ontario, Bishop Bawai Soro of the Chaldean Eparchy celebrated Mass and Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick delivered the homily. The Mass took place at the Good Shepherd Chaldean Cathedral on January 14, 2018. A reception with food and remarks from former refugees followed the Mass.
Bishop Bawai Soro
Prayer for Migrants
God the Father, source of life and love, we are all your children; with your providential care guide the path of all migrant people.
God the Son, obedient to the will of the Father, You have called us to a holy life; may migrant people hold on to their faith in You especially in moments of difficulties.
God the Holy Spirit, fountain of all gifts, may migrant people open their hearts to You so that they may be inspired to hold on to their hope.
Through the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we all at the end of our earthly journey be reunited in the place her Son has prepared for us.
Amen.
Please read the entire document from Pope Francis here: World Day of Migrants & Refugees 2018
You may also watch the Pope as he celebrates Mass in Rome on Sunday January 14 – World Day of Migrants and Refugees: Holy Mass
PEACE BE WITH YOU – CHRISTMAS 2017
PEACE BE WITH YOU
This is the greeting we hear so often at Mass and many other liturgical celebrations.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; John 14, 27
Pope Francis, in his message this Christmas 2017 prayed of peace: peace to those suffering in wars and conflict, those suffering especially children. He prayed for real peace.
CRSC echoes this sentiment. May God who became a child inspire all of us to work for peace, unity and accord.
We wish you and all your loved ones that the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” Philippians 4:6-7
St. NICHOLAS – PATRON OF SPONSORS!
St. Nicholas, the first Santa Claus, is or could/should be the patron saint of all sponsors of refugees. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. There are many accounts of St. Nicholas helping the poor and especially the children. These stories help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
Those who sponsor refugees are just like St. Nicholas. They go out of their way to provide the basic necessities to refugees – food, shelter, clothing and love. It is time we honour and be thankful to all the sponsors of refugees. Their dedication, time and talents have helped thousands of refugees to enjoy a better life.
Watch this short video about St. Nicholas: St. Nicholas Documentary
Here is a short prayer you can say to invoke the blessing of St. Nicholas:
Saint Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ, assist us in your loving kindness.
HOSTING REFUGEES IN RELIGIOUS HOUSES
The Refugees and Migrants Working Group (RMWG) hosted the JPIC English Promoters Meeting last October 18. Twenty-eight congregations are currently hosting refugees in 30 of their houses. Since the beginning of the project (2014), 111 persons are on their own.
With Fr. Jude Nnorom, CSSP as facilitator, the session began with the prayer on the reality of migration. This was followed by the experiences shared by four resource persons who spoke of their community’s blessings, challenges, best practices and questions. They include Sr. Maria Josè Rosa of the Ursulines of the Roman Union, Fr. Nico Espinosa of the Society of the Divine Word, Fr. David Reid of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, and Sr. Carmen Elissa Bandeo of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings
- Assisting families and persons to be independent and to recover the dimension of intimacy and family.
- Refugees/migrants are helped to create new links of networks, contacts, acquaintances and opportunities.
- Responding to the call of the Church and to participate in her mission, refugee/migrants have helped us to develop sensitivity to their cultural and religious plurality.
Challenges
- The language becomes a barrier for communication. Caution is necessary regarding boundary issues, while offering advice, feedback, providing accompaniment, and caring for their health.
- There is fear of suffering due to xenophobia and prejudices. Complex issues are related to money.
- Faced with new people and culture, there is an unconscious drive to save their identity, while integrating into their new local reality.
Best practices
- Treating them like neighbors, friends and long term guests; celebrating their important days; keeping the balance between respect for their privacy and making our presence with them; assigning a member of the community as reference point for refugees; stating the boundaries clearly with due care for their employment and religious perspectives; informing them of expectations; respecting the desire to give back in small ways like sharing their meal.
- The project has to be regularly evaluated and updated.
Questions
- How to help the refugees take responsibility for their own life and to create a network amongst themselves to promote better conditions for their lives.
- How can we develop and make known the right of all to emigrate and immigrate, as stated in Catholic Social teaching (cf. Compendium of the Social doctrine of the church, no. 100, 289, 297, 298, 308, and 505).
- How do we balance the needs of the refugees/migrants and the local community? Sr. Maria Jose Rey Merodio, Coordinator of the Centro Astaili Program for Congregations in Rome, explained the Semi-Autonomy Project: Community of Hospitality, which facilitates the exit of refugees from the reception circuit, creating a bridge to accompany the passage from assisted reception to autonomy. The project allows the gradual involvement of the beneficiaries in the direct participation in their own sustenance and in the re-appropriation of the administration of everyday life. They help to create new links in the territory and insertion in the fabric of society. The project makes possible new forms of widespread reception.
Challenges for the Centro Astali Program include: finding a stable and regular working insertion, finding places to rent on a regular basis after the period of semi-autonomous reception, adhering to a straight-line path of integration, logistic and bureaucratic difficulties linked to being transferred—residence, school insertion of minors, being taken charge by the relevant social services, etc., accepting the conclusion of the reception period, cultural difficulties (saving money, maintenance of the spaces, etc.).
We are grateful that the RMWG will be developing a handbook to share their experiences with other persons interested in working with refugees and migrants.
Following are references to more information regarding refugees/migrants:
Sendai framework for disaster reduction
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
Contributed by S.Vincent Anesthasiar, CMF
CARDINAL PLEADS FOR AID TO PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
On September 11, the Catholic Register published an article written by Michael Swan that dealt with the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
The occasion was an ecumenical prayer service for peace in the Middle East. Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, appealed directly to the Canadian government to pay special attention to Christian refugees as it distributes aid in the region and accepts refugees for resettlement.
In attendance at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Sept. 10th, were both clergy and lay people representing about a dozen Christian churches — Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.
The Cardinal spoke frankly and said, “Justice and human decency requires … that all of us, and especially our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here — and obviously, especially, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.”
In his remarks, Collins spoke of remembering the victims of violence, terror and persecution around the world, and especially our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt and throughout the Middle East.
What are we to do? the Cardinal asks. He offers several suggestions. These include:
- That every human effort be made by governments and all of us to do whatever can be done on a human level to protect those who are being persecuted. Support the Catholic Near Eastern Welfare Association (CNEWA).
- Our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.
- Do what we can to raise awareness in our secular society,
In his conclusion the Cardinal reminds us of the prayer at Mass – “we pray, that to your faithful who suffer for your name’s sake a spirit of patience and charity, they may be found true and faithful witnesses to the promises you have made.”
Please read the entire article at the Catholic Register website: Cardinal Collins Pleads for Aid
You can also find the article here on the CRSC website: Cardinal Collins pleads for aid to Christian refugees
Your comments are welcome. Please send us an email and react to this posting: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
JOURNEY TO JUSTICE
On August 2nd 2017, the Prairie Messenger posted an article written by Joe Gunn, Director of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). In the article he discusses various activities of the Churches in Canada. He mentions the history of the involvement of faith-based groups in settling refugees in Canada. Catholics mobilized to welcome refugees who arrived in special movements from Hungary in the 1950s, Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, and even Uganda in the 1970s. He also writes about the Canadian Council of Churches joining Amnesty International and the Canadian Council for Refugees in a court challenge to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), a deal which endangers the lives of asylum-seekers.
Another interesting historic note is that in March 1979, the Mennonites signed the first Master Agreement with Ottawa to facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees.
He finally calls on the faith groups to go beyond the hard work of receiving and settling newcomers, our faith communities must continue to advocate for improved governmental policies related to refugees. Wait times are still too long, stretching over six years for sponsorship applications from some parts of Africa.
You can read the full article here: Journey to justice Aug. 2017
You can also find the article on the website of the Prairie Messenger
Advocates worry new agreement will hurt private sponsorship refugee program
In an article by Michael Swan of the Catholic Register published on June 22, 2017, Dr. Martin Mark expresses concern that the draft five-year agreements between the federal government and the agencies who sponsor refugees threaten to make private sponsorship of refugees more like government sponsorship. The result may be a draining of the bank accounts of private sponsors.
A Government IRCC spokesman Rémi Lariviére indicated that the Government is not trying to take over the private sponsorship program or make it more like the government’s sponsorship program.
Dr. Mark believes that by paying refugees to stay home and take a few hours of language classes per day ignores the success private sponsors have had in getting refugees employed and self-sufficient quickly.
Mr. Lariviére has said that a large part of the difference is explained by which refugees are privately sponsored versus government sponsored.
In recent statements, Cardinal Thomas Collins has indicated private sponsors should be the voice of the voiceless in the refugee camps. Referrals from the United Nations are accepted regularly in Toronto.
Please read the entire article from the Register here: Advocates Worry
You can also read it here on the CRSC site: Advocates worry new agreement will hurt private sponsorship refugee program June 22, 2017
Take a moment to provide some feedback about this issue. You can send us an email at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Every minute 24 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. The UNHCR has proclaimed June 20 as “World Refugee Day”. UN Secretary-General, António Guterre says “On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20th, we commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.”
A Prayer for Refugees:
Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger, homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please visit this link for further information: World Refugee Day
Immigration minister – faster processing times for refugees
The Catholic Register had an article by Michael Swan in the April 27 edition of the paper. It presented a response from Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to the issues raised by many groups in Canada with respect to slow processing times for refugees wishing to come to Canada. Hussen claims the problems are an overhang from the previous Conservative government and that processing times will shrink to less than 12 months.
The government has committed to bring in 25,000 government-sponsored refugees and another 16,000 privately-sponsored. The majority of the privately-sponsored are brought in by faith groups, with various Catholic agencies sponsoring the most.
The concern is that a two-tier refugee system has been created in Canada, where Syrians get prompt processing and refugees from other parts of the world languish. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Hussen.
Increased numbers of refugees making asylum claims inside Canada — including a wave coming across the American border out of sight of official border crossings — have no bearing on the government’s refugee policies or levels plan, Hussen said.
You can read the entire article here: Immigration minister vows faster processing times for refugees April 2017
It is also available on the Catholic Register site: Faster Processing Times
Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota
The Catholic Register published an article on May 4, 2017 by Michael Swan reporting that the Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) has been forced to suspend all new applications to sponsor refugees for the rest of this year due to persistent backlogs in government processing.
Director Dr. Martin Mark is quoted as saying, “People are very frustrated, we are very disappointed. This is not a good situation.”
This situation has affected all of Canada. For example, the refugee office in the Diocese of London received a 2017 quota of 157, but has 401 applications in process. London will have to decide which 244 applications can wait until 2018.
The Mennonite Central Committee of Canada national migration and resettlement program co-ordinator Brian Dyck said, “These limits have certainly built up a shadow backlog of cases that are not on any government database but are in our minds and hearts. It is difficult to know how to unburden our hearts of this backlog.”
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen plans to bring the applications and landings back into balance and cut the time between an application submitted and a refugee arriving down below 12 months in 2019.
You can read the entire article from the Catholic Register here: Sponsors Put On Hold
The article is also to be found here: Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota May 2017
You can read what others are saying about this issues here: Backlog, Wait Times
HE IS RISEN – ALLELUIA!
We at the CRSC wish every grace and blessing of Easter to all. The words of Pope Francis ring true to us: “The Church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay” ( Mt 28:5-6).”
We especially pray for all the newcomers to Canada, wishing them all the blessings of the risen Lord. The admonition of Pope Francis is very poignant: “Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely professing their faith.“
South Sudan Refugees Look to the Pope for Hope
The Prairie Messenger, in the March 15, 2017 edition published an article written by Michael Swan discussing the situation in South Sudan. It seems that Pope Francis would like to visit South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Luciano Moro, from the Office for Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto, a refugee from South Sudan, hopes that this visit would inspire a national reconciliation process. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that there are 7.5 million Sudanese requiring some help and protection. The South Sudan’s Catholic Bishops have been working with others to try to develop an “Action Plan for Peace”. This is risky because the Church will then become a target.
Please reads the full article here in the Prairie Messenger: South Sudan
You may also read the editorial on this subject in the Catholic Register: South Sudan Crying
Pope Francis – to the International Forum on Migration and Peace
Integration and Development: From Reaction to Action
In his address to the conference on February 21, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with a Section concerned exclusively for migrants, refugees and the victims of human trafficking. He indicated that our response should be characterized by the following four action words: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate.
To Welcome: For those who flee conflicts and terrible persecutions, often trapped within the grip of criminal organisations who have no scruples, we need to open accessible and secure humanitarian channels.
To Protect: Defending their inalienable rights, ensuring their fundamental freedoms and respecting their dignity are duties from which no one can be exempted.
To Promote: efforts must be encouraged that lead to the implementation of programmes of international cooperation, free from partisan interests, and programmes of transnational development which involve migrants as active protagonists.
To Integrate: for the Christian community, the peaceful integration of persons of various cultures is, in some way, a reflection of its catholicity, since unity, which does not nullify ethnic and cultural diversity, constitutes a part of the life of the Church, who in the Spirit of Pentecost is open to all and desires to embrace all.
The Pope then went on the elaborate on duties that flow from these four actions:
Duty of Justice: One group of individuals cannot control half of the world’s resources. We cannot allow for persons and entire peoples to have a right only to gather the remaining crumbs.
Duty of Civility: Today more than ever, it is necessary to affirm the centrality of the human person, without allowing immediate and ancillary circumstances, or even the necessary fulfillment of bureaucratic and administrative requirements, to obscure this essential dignity.
Duty of Solidarity: Solidarity is born precisely from the capacity to understand the needs of our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and to take responsibility for these needs. Upon this, in short, is based the sacred value of hospitality, present in religious traditions.
In conclusion he reiterates what he said for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “we need to work towards protection, integration and long-term solutions”.
Please read the entire presentation here: Integration & Development
Sixth Annual Mass Celebrates Migrants and Refugees
The B.C. Catholic newspaper published a “Good News” story from the Diocese of Vancouver as they celebrated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on January 15, 2017. Pope Francis issued a statement for this occasion in the universal Church with the theme “Child Migrants, the Vulnerable and the Voiceless“.
The article by Josh Tng described the event complete with music, international dress, and food from around the world. There were 900 immigrants, refugees, and temporary workers, along with friends and family who celebrated the 103rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees at St. Matthew’s Church.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, in his homily at the Mass said, “All of us are immigrants, refugees, or descendants of such”. He also thanked those who sponsored refugees, both as individuals and through their parishes.
After Mass, the crowd gathered in the school gymnasium, where food representing their various cultures was laid around the table and shared. Attendees representing nationalities including Indonesia, Poland, Latin America and Africa performed traditional dances and songs for entertainment.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass is a “great opportunity to come together, to worship together,” said the Service and Justice office’s Evelyn Vollet. The office worked hard to invite refugees to attend the Mass “because we wanted to celebrate the solidarity this Mass is about,” she said.
Please read the entire article here: Sixth Annual Mass
The story of Christ’s birth as described in St. Luke’s gospel Chapter 2 is filled with thoughts for our reflection at this most important time of the year. “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn”. The angels announce to the shepherds, “I bring you news of great joy to be shared by the whole people”. After the shepherds came to visit Jesus St. Luke says “They went back glorifying and praising God”. The shepherds are the first evangelists.
These three short passages inspire us – we all come to this earth vulnerable and yet very precious to God. The joy of this birth is to be shared, and we are called to be the new shepherds, the new evangelists. We respond to Gods love by praising and glorifying Him.
From all of us here at CRSC, we hope and pray for God blessing and peace at this time.
“Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will”.
Canadian help for Yazidis must take other refugees into account
The Catholic Register, on October 28, 2016 published an article written by Deborah Gyapong, which points out that the Government needs to attend to other refugees elsewhere in the world. The Government supported the Conservative motion to recognize ISIS’ genocide against Yazidis and to provide asylum for Yazidi women and girls within 120 days. While many are supporting this initiative, there are advocates who have some questions.
Some refugee advocates worry about fast-tracking yet another group, when problems created by bringing in 25,000 Syrian refugees in a short time-frame have not been addressed. In addition there are several groups whose cases have yet to be quickly addressed. For example many African refugees face processing times of over 70 months. Carl Hétu, national director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) said the government decision is a good one, but more needs to be done. His organization and the Catholic Church in Canada have highlighted concerns about Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities who were displaced inside Iraq when ISIS invaded Mosul and the Nineveh Plain in 2014.
Meanwhile, a coalition of forces is trying to retake Mosul from ISIS, and Hétu fears the battle—if it lasts a few more months— could create another 1.2 million misplaced persons.
You can read the full article here: Yazidis
CCCB LETTER TO JOHN McCALLUM MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP
On October 6, 2016 Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, O.M.I. President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) sent a letter to the Honourable John McCallum Minister or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Bishop Crosby began by congratulating the Canadian Government for its dealing with the refugee crisis in Syria over the last year.
The letter goes on to point out some of the “growing pains” that have emerged recently. One issue is the long wait times for sponsoring groups from the application process to arrival of the refugee. This has meant that groups are spending money and making commitments with no assurance that the refugees will arrive. There is a call on the Government to process the cases as “quickly as possible”. The result of this delay, the Bishop says, may result in groups losing interest in this effort and may develop a negative perception of the promises of the Government.
The processing office in Winnipeg was also mentioned. They are no longer expediting Syrian refugee claims. The point is also made that “in the spirit of fairness and non-discrimination” processing of all refugees must be a top concern. Finally, the goals of being more clear and transparent in the refugee claims process are ones that the CCCB is looking forward to seeing.
Please read the full letter here: Minister McCallum
The Toronto Star newspaper also published an article on this letter. You can read it here: Delays
Your response is welcome as always: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Joint Ecumenical Letter – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has co-authored a letter to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) dated October 4, 2016. The letter is addressed to the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MP Minister for International Development and La Francophonie. In this letter, signed by the Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as representatives of the Anglican, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, United Church and Quakers.
The letter urges Canada to restore its annual contribution in support of the work of the UNRWA, and to increase its contribution significantly. People in the Middle East suffer from vulnerability and deepening poverty. The growing level of need far outpaces the financial support, most of which is through voluntary donations. The letter describes how there have been drastic cuts to UNRWA schools, hospitals and food assistance programs. It also notes that the healthcare, education and vocational training UNRWA provides is crucial for the well-being of women in Palestinian society.
Finally, the letter urges the government to act quickly and decisively to restore Canada’s urgently needed contribution to UNRWA.
Please read the full letter here: UNRWA
CRSC – Augustinians – UN Summit on Refugees
The Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) has teamed up with the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice (CACSJ) to focus on the situation of refugees and migrants and the United Nations. On September 19, 2016 the UN hosted the High-Level Plenary Meeting to Address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the UN headquarters in New York. The CRSC followed this one day conference very closely along with the CACSJ. The Augustinians (Augustinians International) have been represented at the United Nations for several years. They began as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and now have Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status.
You can read the entire report from the CRSC and the CACSJ here: Summit Report
The following are some highlights from the summit in New York.
Participants at this meeting came from most member states of the United Nations. There were opening remarks, round table discussions, and other side events during the day. Canada was represented by Stephane Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. The United States was represented by John Kerry, Secretary of State and Barach Obama, President.
The New York Declaration
The discussion at the summit resulted in all members agreeing to the “New York Declaration”. Some of the main commitments include:
- Protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.
- Ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.
- Work towards ending the practice of detaining children for the purposes of determining their migration status.
- Implement a comprehensive refugee response, based on a new framework that sets out the responsibility of Member States, civil society partners and the UN system, whenever there is a large movement of refugees or a protracted refugee situation.
- Start negotiations leading to an international conference and the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018.
- Achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees by adopting a global compact on refugees in 2018.
You can read the entire New York Declaration here: New York Declaration
United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon opened the session. He spoke of migrants and refugees not to be seen as a burden but a great potential. He pledged that with cooperation no refugee or migrant will be left behind. He outlined some of the initiatives and agreements in the declaration.
You can watch the video of Ban Ki-moon at this link: Ban Ki-moon Opening Remarks
There were six round tables which focused on various topics. Some of the presenters included the Holy See, Prime Minister Trudeau and others.
Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson from Sweden offered some closing remarks to the high level meeting. He indicated that this issue is one of the most challenging of our time.
For further information please choose this link: UN Summit
USCCB – REFUGEES & MIGRANTS
Since July 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has spoken out about the refugee crisis with reports and press releases. Three publications will be highlighted here.
Moment of Decision: Seeking Durable Solutions in Southeast Asia, July 2016
In July and August 2016, a delegation from Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops travelled to Southeast Asia to show the U.S. Catholic bishops’ solidarity with refugees and other populations of concern in those countries and with the local Catholic bishops and with Catholic and other faith-based and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) responding to their needs. The delegation assessed the protracted humanitarian crisis of Burma/Myanmar at this critical moment in its history, including the plight of certain internally displaced people (IDPs). In Thailand, the delegation, led by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Chair of the Committee on Migration of USCCB, and including staff from USCCB/MRS, visited a Bangkok detention center that held many
urban refugees.
Many recommendations flowed from this report and visit.
- To the Catholic Church – Provide generous funding and resources through the Catholic Church and her NGOs to contribute to the above efforts, particularly to strengthen the role of the local Catholic Church of Indonesia
- To Australia – Reconsider your interdiction policies and more fully share the responsibility for welcoming and protecting refugees and asylum seekers in the region
- To the United States – Work closely with Australia and Southeast Asian countries to support Myanmar’s new government and neighboring refugee host nations to resolve the protracted refugee and IDP crisis
Please read the full report here: Moment of Decision
We Must Overcome Partisan Divides on Migration Issues, September 14, 2016
This statement was issued just prior to the UN Summit on Refugees held in New York on September 19, 2016. In this statement Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Migration, reiterated the long-standing teachings on migration, which are rooted in the Gospel message of welcome and grounded in Catholic social teaching. He reminded us of Pope Francis’ call on all Americans to “seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
Bishop Elizondo emphasized that it is not enough that we welcome the migrants into our communities. The political and religious leaders of this great nation must work with the leaders of other countries to help create the conditions so people do not feel compelled to migrate in the first place.He concludes by saying, we must seek a world in which everyone has access to the economic, political, and social opportunities to live in freedom and dignity, and to achieve a full life through the use of their God-given gifts.
Please read the full statement here: Overcome Partisan Divides
USCCB Migration and Refugee Services Releases Refugee Report Ahead of U.N. Refugee Summit, September 19, 2016
This report is a summary of the July 2016 report from the USCCB Migration and Refugee Services. The statement focuses on Burma /Myanmar’s decades-long refugee crisis which prompted a trip to the region also including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia. Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, who led the delegation said, “This trip was eye-opening for me. I join my brother bishops in the Burma region and elsewhere to pray for peace and continued reform and rebuilding in the country. I pray for continued protection, humanitarian assistance, and pursuit of durable solutions for all those who are displaced.”
Some of the findings include:
- A special focus is needed on the Rohingya refugees challenge
- There is a disturbing pattern of human trafficking of refugees and migrant workers throughout the region
- Those seeking refuge in temporary shelters in Thailand continue to experience a reduction in humanitarian support, including reduced food rations.
- Increased numbers of Pakistani Christians seeking refuge in Thailand and Malaysia
Please read the full statement here: Refugee Services Report
Where are the Refugees?
The Catholic Register, in their September 17, 2016 article by Michael Swan, outlines some of the frustrations that many sponsors are feeling by the delays in processing of refugees. Project Hope, in the Archdiocese of Toronto for example, and their sponsorship groups have been able to greet just 44 refugee families, 133 individuals, at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. That leaves 110 Project Hope sponsorship cases, representing 274 individuals, still waiting for their ticket to Canada. One parish sponsoring group was waiting so long that the family decided to go to Australia instead.
“We also must reiterate our message to the government to expedite the arrival of those who have been left behind not only in the Middle East but in so many other areas of conflict. We believe much more can and should be done,” Cardinal Collins said. Another example is the case of a group waiting and six months into the process, on Feb. 8, 2016 a helpful Citizenship and Immigration employee was able to write send an e-mail reporting her department was then “working on files from August/September 2015.”
Immigration expects 6,000 more government-assisted and blended visa Syrian refugees to arrive between mid-September and the end of December, plus an unspecified number of privately sponsored refugees whose cases have already been finalized. The Syrian fast track has come to an end, according to Immigration officials. Canadian policy that favours Syrians and ignores Iraq has caused many groups to be angry with the system.
Please read the entire article here: Sponsors Frustration
You can read the article in the Catholic Register here: Where are the Refugees?
Getting Syrians here was easy. Now comes the hard part.
Maclean’s Magazine, on August 9, 2016 published an article written by Michael Friscolanti in which he details and describes the process of refugees from Syrian hearing the news that they will be brought to Canada and how happy they are to be here. In the article he reports on an interview he had with Rabea Allos from the CRSC. Mr. Friscolanti poses the inevitable questions about this whole process. These include: “Now that they’re here, will all of them thrive? Are we doing enough to ensure their long-term integration? And if not, what are the consequences years down the road”?
He reports that many Canadians do not feel there are enough resources in place to ensure a smooth transition to Canada – these include; food banks, language classes, housing, job training and mental health services etc.The Senate Standing Committee recommended that the Government boost funding for language classes and mental health services.
The article mentions the fact that refugee stakeholders are bracing for one event: “month 13.” Whether privately sponsored or government-assisted, Syrian refugees receive one year of financial support; after that, they are expected to support themselves—or apply for welfare. No one knows for sure how many will end up on welfare. Canada boasts a well-respected suite of settlement agencies and service providers that assist tens of thousands of newcomers every year. But never have so many refugees arrived so quickly, creating inevitable clogs.
“If you look at language as a unifier and one of the chief roadblocks to obtaining employment—which is a big integration factor — this is a big concern,” says Michelle Rempel, the Conservative immigration critic who sits on the House committee. “Some will do better than others,” says Carolyn Davis, executive director of Catholic Crosscultural Services, a settlement agency that also provides training courses for private sponsors.
“One refugee that fails resettlement is not acceptable, because it means we as a society failed to make sure those people integrated,” says Rabea Allos, director of the Catholic Refugee Sponsors Council, an umbrella organization for private sponsorship groups. “You don’t want, a year or two down the road, for Canadians to become upset with the refugee program and believe that some people are abusing the system. They will say: ‘You know what? Let’s stop getting refugees in.’ This is the concern. We want the program to work so Canadians will continue this compassion toward bringing more refugees.”
You can read the full article in Maclean’s Magazine at this link: Getting Syrians Here Was Easy
You can also find the article on our website at this link: Syrian Refugees – the Hard Part
Your comments are most welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Committee (CRSC) Presents at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration – July, 2016
Rabea Allos, an executive member of the CRSC spoke for a second time at the July committee meeting in Ottawa. Two topics were presented. One is the distinction between refugees and vulnerable people and groups. The distinction is between “protection needs” and “resettlement needs”. The goal is the protection of all refugees locally until a durable solution is available. The option for resettlement in destination countries is usually preserved to the most vulnerable who cannot be repatriated to their homeland nor locally integrated in the host country; simply because they cannot go back to their normal life in the home countries.
The second topic is that of indigenous people. A United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.
Canada officially adopted and promised to implement the declaration fully in January 2016. Minister Carolyn Bennett announced, “We are now a full supporter of the declaration, without qualification. We intend nothing less than to adopt and implement the declaration in accordance with the Canadian Constitution.” This support does not apply to the indigenous people of Canada only; Canada is now committed to indigenous people worldwide. The goal of the Declaration is to encourage countries to work alongside indigenous peoples to solve global issues, like development, multicultural democracy and decentralization.
The CRSC encouraged the Canadian government, as well as other governments, to give special attention to the ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria, in particular Chaldeans, Syriacs, Assyrians, Mandeans and Yezidis because they are the indigenous peoples of the land. Without this protection and resettlement those communities will disappear forever.
Please read the entire presentation – Refugees/Vulnerable Groups & Indigenous People
Your comments are encouraged: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Church joins U.K. project to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has joined a government project to resettle an estimated 20,000 refugees from the Syrian war. This was reported by the Catholic News Service on July 21, 2016 written by Simon Caldwell. The refugees will be drawn from predominantly Muslim camps and all the refugees would be rigorously screened by the British government and the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the bishops’ conference referred to the pope who called on our generosity and solidarity to recognize and act upon our common humanity. “Now we are all able to take up that call with the launch of the community sponsorship scheme for Syrian refugees.” The first families of refugees to be resettled by the church will arrive at St. Monica’s Parish in Flixton, outside of Manchester, in late summer. It is hoped that through this pilot scheme other parishes and groups can be encouraged and inspired so that the terrible suffering of many Syrian families can be alleviated.
They will also be assisted in adapting to British life and culture by their sponsors, which include local community groups, businesses and universities as well as faith groups.
Please read the entire article here: Church Joins UK Project
Do you have a comment? Please add it here: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
WILL YOU STAND WITH REFUGEES?
The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has developed a petition online to ask people to support refugees. Add your name to the #WithRefugees petition to send a clear message to governments that they must act with solidarity and shared responsibility. The #WithRefugees petition will be delivered to UN headquarters in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants, on September 19.
The petition asks the governments to: ensure the education of every refugee child, ensure safe housing for fall refugee families, ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.
Please sign the petition now at this link: #WithRefugees petition
CANADA DAY JULY 1, 2016 – ST. JOSEPH PATRON ST. OF CANADA
In 1624, the Franciscan Recollect friar Fr. Joseph Le Caron held a great feast and made a vow to name St. Joseph as the Patron Saint of Canada. St. Joseph’s feast is March 19, but Canada Day on July 1st is also a day to remember our Patron Saint. St. Joseph has always been remembered and revered as a ‘father” who cared deeply for Jesus, the Holy Family and therefore for us. Canada has welcomed refugees and migrants in great numbers in recent years. Let us give thanks to St. Joseph for being our inspiration, and hope we can imitate him in care for all people.
Let us ask St. Joseph to be our guide and protector through all the trials and tribulations of life, especially to protect refugees and all migrants in their struggles.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
World Day of Migrants to reflect on vulnerable, voiceless minors
Catholic News Service, June 22, 2016 has reported that the theme for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees for January 15, 2017 will focus on vulnerable and voiceless minors. The statement also noted that the refugee issue is a global one and not limited to any one area. The fact is that children are the most at risk and are unable to make their voices heard. What follows are grave human rights abuses. The truth is that all refugees and all people should enjoy full recognition of their rights.
You can read the press release here: World Day of Migrants 2017
Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Committee (CRSC) Presents at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
Rabea Allos, an executive member of the CRSC spoke at the May 30 committee meeting in Ottawa. The Chair of the committee is Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj. Those providing presentations at the meeting included the Honourable Mr. Peter Kent, as an individual and Mr. Rabea Allos from the CRSC. Members of the Committee included: Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Liberal), Mr. Arif Virani (Parkdale—High Park, Liberal), Hon. Michelle Rempel (Calgary Nose Hill, Conservative Party of Canada), Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP), Mr. Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale, Liberal), Mr. Bob Saroya (Markham—Unionville, Conservative Party of Canada), Mr. Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre, Liberal), Mr. Brad Trost (Saskatoon—University, Conservative Party of Canada). The witnesses included: Mrs. Judy Villeneuve (Councillor, Surrey City Council, City of Surrey), Ms. Chantal Desloges (Lawyer, Desloges Law Group, As an Individual), Mr. Marwan Tabbara (Kitchener South—Hespeler, Liberal), Mr. Shaun Chen (Scarborough North, Liberal), Ms. Aileen Murphy (Senior Social Planner, City of Surrey.
In his presentation Rabea highlighted several key points. First he gave a broad overview of the CRSC, its goals objectives and vision. Then he made the following points:
- Refugee Protection, Repatriation & Resettlement
He highlighted the distinction between “protection need” and “resettlement need”. The first goal for the international community is protection of refugees locally until a durable solution is available. Resettlement of refugees is the most important part of solving refugee crisis, this resettlement should ensure that the refugee is integrated into the society and gains financial independence as early as possible. The CRSC recommends that the program name is changed from Private Sponsorship Program to Civic Resettlement Program. - Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) and the Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR).
The GARs are usually selected by the UNHCR. The CRSC encourages the government to look into other options for referral agencies, such as sponsoring Canadian missions to troubled countries for the selection of refugees among the most vulnerable. The PSR program has several advantages over the GAR program. These include: extended family unification, mission trips to select the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, more economical and less of a financial burden on Tax Payers, refugees are integrated and embraced by the society and hence less likely to be a financial burden or radicalized, and bridges can be built to fight against racism, prejudice and xenophobia.
Please read the entire presentation here: Rabea Allos’ Presentation
You can also read the unedited version of the entire committee meeting: Standing Committee Meeting May 30, 2016
Your comments are welcome: Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council
Refugee family finally arrives in Montreal: St. Ignatius Parish
On April 26, 2016 the The four-member Beirouty family arrived at Trudeau International Airport via Istanbul. Until three years ago, the Beirouty family had lived in Aleppo, but when a bomb exploded outside their apartment building, they were forced to leave, seeking refuge in a nearby town. There are four members of the family, husband and wife and 2 adolescent children. St. Ignatius, the English language parish in the Diocese of Montreal had to scramble to make all the preparations for the family when they arrived. Since February the parish had been waiting for notice of the family’s arrival. St. Ignatius decided last September to sponsor a refugee family after Archbishop Christian Lépine issued an appeal to all parishes.
Other parishes are also are involved in sponsoring refugees. To date, 23 Montreal parishes are involved in welcoming refugees.
Please read the full article from the Montreal Diocese website: Refugee family finally arrives
You can also find it here: Beirouty Family
Your comments and feedback are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Dominican Nuns Keep Hope Alive in Northern Iraq
On April 20, 2016, the Crux magazine published an article by Paul Jeffrey. He describes the mission of the Dominican nuns in Iraq.
When the Islamic State group rolled across Iraq’s Ninevah Plain in 2014, tens of thousands of Christians fled for their lives to Kurdish controlled areas of the country. They still wait in limbo, in crowded camps, facing an undefined future. The only certainty they enjoy is knowing whatever happens to them, a group of Dominican nuns will be there.
This Dominican congregation was founded in the late 19th century in Mosul. After the USA invasion of 2003, many of their facilities became refuges for the many displaced people affected by the conflict. In 2014 they were driven out of Mosul and went to Irbil. Tens of thousands of people ended up in Irbil, and so the Church stepped in to help. The people had nothing, but soon the nuns found diapers and milk which became blankets and food.
According to Michael Constantin from the Catholic Near Eastern Welfare Association (CNEWA), the Dominicans were of tremendous help. The sisters lived in very poor conditions and several of them died in the first few months in Irbil.
The sisters expanded their work by adding mobile services to outlying areas. They also began schools for the children in Arabic and Aramaic. The sisters visited the people in groups of 2 in order to just listen to the people and offer support. The sisters found great strength in their congregational discipline. The anger and resentment at the invasion of the USA is still in the minds of the people and the sisters are there to offer prayers and support.
Please read the entire article from the website: Crux, Dominican Nuns
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Hindu – Catholic Dialogue of Canada encourages hospitality and open hearts in receiving refugees in Canada
Following its last meeting in Toronto on February 6, 2016, the Hindu – Catholic Dialogue of Canada released a joint statement to reaffirm the importance of hospitality in receiving the stranger and welcoming refugee. The statement references quotations such as the following, “Be one for whom the guest is God.” Taittiriya Upanishad, as well as the gospel, “Just as you have done to the least of these, you have done to me.” The Gospel of Matthew.
The Hindu-Catholic Dialogue has been meeting regularly since 2011. The statement declares that it is no longer sufficient simply to tolerate one another, but to share in a deep, mutual understanding of one another’s traditions, devotions and spiritual insights.
The statement concludes with a challenge. We urge all Canadians to respond with openness, care and generosity to those refugees who find their ways to our shores, and indeed to all strangers in our midst.
Please visit the CCCB website for this important announcement. Hindu-Catholic Dialogue
You can also read the full statement: Hindu-Catholic Dialogue of Canada
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
CCCB – Government of Canada closes its Office of Religious Freedom
On March 24, 2016 the CCCB published a document expressing “deep regret” that the Canadian Government was closing the “Office for Religious Freedom”. The statement goes on to declare the purpose of the office as an important signal to the international community and to Canadians of the singular importance of religious freedom, and of the unfortunate lack of voices in society prepared to come to its defense. The document also quotes Pope Francis when he stated clearly, “religious freedom is a fundamental human right which includes on the individual and collective levels the freedom to follow one’s conscience in religious matters and, at the same time, freedom of worship.” The statement goes on to recognize that the Ambassador for the office moreover recognized the perilous situation of the Christian minority in the Middle East which has been present in the region for two millennia.
Finally, the CCCB asks the Canadian Government to reconsider its decision and to provide a plan as to how it will defend the religious rights and freedoms which are human rights.
The entire statement is here: Canada closes its Office of Religious Freedom
You can also read it at the CCCB site: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Your comments are welcome: Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council
MINISTRY IN ALEPPO – KEEPING HOPE ALIVE
On February 28, 2016 Gaby Maniscalco, Catholic News Service had an article published in the Catholic Register about the Jesuit Refugee Service and the work of Fr. Sami Hallak in his crisis journal during his time in Aleppo, narrating daily life as he and hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents cope with the reality of a war that began in March 2011.
In one entry he speaks of a large water tank where the reserves are used with care. Unless it is designated for drinking, he said, the water is reused two or three times. If one takes a bath, he puts hot water in a bucket, and the bathing water is carefully collected in a vessel. The water is then used in the toilets, to wash clothes or to clean the floor.
Another priest in the area, Salesian Father Luciano Buratti, says, “Our community has chosen to continue our activities as if nothing has happened. We try to offer families a place where they can breathe stability and harmony even in the midst of chaos.”
Despite the volatile environment, people continue to look for signs of hope.
Please read the entire article Ministry in Aleppo
Your comments are welcome: CRSC
“ECUMENISM OF BLOOD” – CARDINAL THOMAS COLLINS
On January 24, 2016 Cardinal Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated an Ecumenical Service at the Good Shepherd Chaldean Church in Toronto. In his homily, the Cardinal stressed the importance of prayer is the foundation for ecumenical activity. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of God”. He spoke of the many practical ways we as Christians can come together, but they are insufficient. He mentions that history teaches us that “Christian unity have also been forged in the fire of persecution, and in the common experience of the dark power of evil.”
He refers also to the Sermon on the Mount which proclaims “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In a reference to Pope Francis, the Cardinal uses the phrase “Ecumenism of blood”. He lists the tragedies and deaths of so many Christians not only in the Middle East but elsewhere as well.
In terms of what to do, he mentions several ideas. These include; prayer, live for Christ, be inspired by those who have suffered and died, keep the memory of those who have suffered alive forever, help the agencies and services working in these regions.
He concludes and prays that “All may be one”.
Please read the entire text of the homily here.
You can also see the video of Cardinal Collins’s homily. Just click here.
You can always provide a comment by clicking here.
DO NOT BE ROBBED of HOPE, JOY of LIVING: POPE TELLS REFUGEES
On January 19, 2016 the Catholic Register published an article by Junno Arocho Esteves reporting what the Pope said to refugees for their own Year of Mercy celebration. “Each of you is the bearer of a history, culture and precious values and, unfortunately, also often of experiences of poverty, oppression and fear,” the Pope said. An estimated 7,000 migrants from 30 countries were present. The group passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers. He said that the presence of migrants is a visible sign of the universality of the church and the integration of newcomers.
Please read the entire article by clicking on the link.
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES JANUARY 17, 2016
Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy
In response to an invitation from the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council has prepared homily suggestions and prayers of the faithful to help dioceses, eparchies and parishes celebrate the 102nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, January 17, 2016.
The theme of Pope Francis’ 2016 Message is “Migrants and refugees challenge us: The response of the Gospel of mercy“. In his Message, the Holy Father reminds us that “migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?”
You can find these homily and prayer resources by clicking on the link.
Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace
The birth of Christ brought joy, light and peace to people of all nations. It is this joy and peace that we pray for, work for and long for. Pope Francis has declared this year as a Jubilee Year of Mercy. He asks us to focus our efforts on the corporal works of mercy. These include, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving shelter to the homeless. This is the ministry of the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC), and indeed each one of us is invited to take action on one or several of the corporal works of mercy.
All of us here at the CRSC pray for true joy, light and peace to fill your hearts and souls during this Christmas season and throughout the year.
Thornhill parish – beacon of hope for Mideast refugees
An article published in the Catholic Register dated November 26, 2015 the author Jean Ko Din describes the work of the very active refugee sponsorship committee at Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church in Thornhill, Ont., north of Toronto. Rami Kaai is one of the leaders and is the financial secretary of the local Knights of Columbus Council. Its Knights of Columbus council is founder of two organizations, FoodforSyria.org and IAmIraqiIAmChristian.org. Both projects work with churches and refugee communities to provide supplies and financial support to displaced Christians.
Jesus the King parish is the only parish in Canada to hold Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) status. Jesus the King acquired its SAH status, with the help of the Office of Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT), in December 2014. Since then it has helped sponsor and resettle 38 refugee families from Syria, Iraq and many surrounding areas. Pastor Fr. Ibrahim El-Haddad said acquiring SAH status was very important to the parish because the migrant crisis has always been a great concern for the people in the community.
Despite the committee’s limited resources, Kaai said the parish is welcoming new refugee families every two to three months. Meeting the families at Pearson International Airport makes all the work worthwhile. “They are crying and they pray,” said Kaai. “They say, ‘Thank you Jesus the King. Thank you Canada, we are now safe.’ But some they are still shaking at night.”
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Comments are most welcome at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me”
Pastoral Letter on Welcoming Refugees
The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) published their Pastoral Letter on October 26, 2015. In their four section letter they begin by explaining in the first section (Why We Are Writing) the rationale for the letter. They are direct in saying, “We believe that discussion is not enough; this is a time for urgent action”. The CCCB is indicating that the traditional definition of a “refugee” is no longer adequate. They declare, “We can now add a new category of climate or environmental refugees”.
In the second section entitled “Biblical Teaching” the Bishops remind us that Jesus himself was a refugee, “Even the child Jesus himself was a refugee when his family fled the persecution of King Herod (Matthew 2.13-14)”. The key phrase is from the Gospel of St. Mathew – “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25.35).
The next section, “Welcoming and Protecting Refugees” reminds us clearly that what we as Church can do is not only limited to simply assisting and supporting the refugee as they progress through the process of selection, but must look to full inclusion that clearly respects differences. This section goes on to note the many issues in need of clarification. These include: accelerating procedures, emphasis on family reunification, asylum, appeal procedures and others.
The final section (The Church: Speaking and Acting on Behalf of Refugees) the challenge is clear, “Our faith calls us to let ourselves be moved – even disturbed – by our sisters and brothers who are refugees”. The Bishops note and congratulate the many parishes and other groups who have sponsored refugees over the years. In terms of the Government, the Bishops say, “It is imperative that this Catholic voice be heard by the Canadian government”. There are several practical ideas that are meant for all of us to undertake. These include: call on the federal government, praying for refugees in camps around the world, support Development and Peace and CNEWA, create local diocesan services, mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees, provide formation for pastors and pastoral workers and establish a pastoral ministry for migrants.
You can read the entire letter here.
Any question or feedback? Send us a message at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Greece’s Caritas aids refugees with food, clothing, human warmth
Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service had an article published in the Catholic Register on October 20, 2015. She mentions Caritas Internationalis, which shares the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world. In the article she describes the arduous journey of thousands of people fleeing Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan passing through the makeshift transit centre daily at Idomeni, a Greek village — population 120 — on the border with Macedonia. Caritas has been helping people all the way from Turkey to Germany. “Uncertainty is the name of the game,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, president of Caritas Internationalis. “Caritas is Caritas because of those simple people who give of themselves,” the cardinal said.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Bishops of Canada urge national political leaders and Catholics throughout the country to take action on refugee sponsorship
On October 1, 2015 in a letter to the country’s national political leaders, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, asks them to collaborate in better assisting refugees. He calls on the Government of Canada to expand, accelerate, and facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees during this time of urgent need. In addition to calling on the Government of the Canada, the resolution by the Bishops of Canada is also addressed to dioceses, parishes and religious communities throughout the country, urging them to welcome refugee families. The CCCB speaks directly to the Government of Canada, no matter which party forms the government – “We particularly urge you to find more effective ways of reuniting refugee families, and to recognize the special urgency of the needs of children, single-parent families, and those minorities and individuals facing persecution.”
A summary of the letter is contained on the CCCB website – here
The full text of the letter can be found here
You can read more about the letter on our blog page here
BISHOPS OF CANADA ENDORSE AND SUPPORT
JOINT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
BY DEVELOPMENT & PEACE, CNEWA CANADA AND ACN CANADA
On September 17, 2015 the CCCB published a statement endorsing and supporting a joint Canadian fundraising campaign by Development and Peace (CCODP), Canadian Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada and Aid to the Church in Canada (ACN) Canada. The campaign invites Canadians to organize their own parish collections from now until Sunday, November 15, 2015, inclusive. Each diocese is free to decide how it will distribute the funds among the three national agencies. The three Canadian Catholic aid and development agencies will collaborate in their fundraising for Syrian refugees, so as to respond as effectively as possible to the complex and overwhelming Syrian emergency.
RESPONDING AS CATHOLICS TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS
On September 8, 2015 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) responded to the refugee crisis with an open letter from Archbishop Paul-André Durocher President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. He reminded us of the haunting images we have all seen in the press and the constant message of Pope Francis “to take action to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway.”
The Archbishop provides some suggestions for action which we can undertake. These include:
- Sponsoring a refugee family – he provides contact information for the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC), the Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) and the Office des communautés culturelles et rituelles in Montreal.
- Donate funds – he provides some contacts to which one can send funds, such as The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), Aid to the Church in Need, Canada, CNEW Canada, and Canadian Jesuits International.
- Get involved politically – he refers to the various election guides by the CCODP, CCCB and others
- Be informed – he refers the reader to Caritas International, and the United Nations Refugee Agency
- Combat prejudices and fears – Major obstacles facing refugees as they seek protection and shelter involve apathy, indifference, apprehensions and prejudices in those countries where they seek refuge. When our hearts are fearful, our doors remain closed to others in need. One way to address this negative attitude is is through inter-religious dialogue.
- Stay focused – There are some 13 million refugees now throughout the world, of whom four million are from Syria. The problems they face are immense. We can receive electronic news about the upcoming CCCB resource on refugees, and he provides the link to subscribe.
- Meditate on Scripture and pray – Check with your diocese and parish on plans for special days of reflection, prayer, fasting and community action for the displaced people of our world.
This letter contains many excellent resources and lots of food for thought. Share it with your networks.
You can read the full text of the message by clicking here.
Archdiocese of Toronto Launches “Project Hope”
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto announced the launching of the “Project Hope” in a press release dated September 8, 2015. He says that this is a special emergency appeal to respond to the tragic situation of this global humanitarian crisis. The project is “100, 3, 100 and 100” – 100 hundred days to raise 3 million dollars to settle 100 refugee families with 100 hundred volunteers. The archdiocese will prioritize refugees fleeing war and violence in areas of greatest need, including Syria and Iraq, regardless of religious affiliation.
The archdiocese established the Office for Refugees (ORAT) in 2009 to advocate and facilitate the welcome of refugees to the region. To date, ORAT has initiated the resettlement of 2,519 refugees, sponsored by 160 Catholic churches. Project Hope is above and beyond ORAT’s current efforts.
The Cardinal outlined the various ways that people can participate in the campaign – through the Archdiocesan website, calling the Development Office, or through their local parish.
You can read the full press release here.
Pope Francis calls on every parish across Europe to house refugee families
On Sunday September 6, at his weekly Angelus prayer Pope Francis asked each Catholic Parish and community to house at least one of the tens of thousands of refugee families risking death to migrate to the continent from the Middle East.
The Pope said, “With the nearing of the Jubilee of Mercy, I address an appeal to the parishes, to the religious communities, to the monasteries and shrines of all of Europe to express the concreteness of the Gospel and welcome a family of refugees, as a concrete gesture in preparation of the Holy Year of Mercy.” The pontiff specified the scope of his request: “Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every shrine of Europe house a family, starting from my diocese of Rome.”
You can see and hear the Pope speaking at his weekly audience, with English subtitles, by clicking here.
The text in Italian, under the heading “Appello”, can be found here.
Pope Francis releases theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
On August 20, 2015, Pope Francis announced the theme for the 2016 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Sunday January 17, 2016. The theme is:
Migrants and Refugees Challenge us. The response of the Gospel of Mercy.
The date for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees is Sunday January 17, 2016. The first part of the theme follows the ongoing crisis along the Mediterranean. The second part, which reads, ‘The Response of the Gospel of Mercy‘ because the next World Day of Migrants will take place precisely during the Year of Mercy, which starts on December 8th 2015.
You can find a short summary of the announcement by clicking here.
A short video accompanying the message can be found here.
Knights of Columbus in the USA create Christian Refugee Relief Fund
The National Catholic Reporter newspaper from the United States reports that at the Knights of Columbus’ 133rd annual convention held Aug. 4-6 in Philadelphia, Pa., Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced the creation of the Christian Refugee Relief Fund to aid persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria. Anderson said, “We will begin a new education campaign to expose the crimes against humanity that are being committed. It is time for a season of truth about what is happening to Christians and other minorities. It is a time for action.”
Andrew Walther, the vice president for communications and strategic planning for the Knights of Columbus said, “Our program of humanitarian aid is directly responding to Pope Francis’ request for assistance to persecuted Christians in the region, and his reference to this situation as genocide.”
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Edmonton parish mobilizes to offer refuge to refugees
In the June 15 edition of the “Western Catholic Reporter” Thandiwe Konguavi wrote an article describing how several parishes mobilized to sponsor refugees to come to Calgary. Paulette Johnson is the refugee sponsorship coordinator for Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Calgary and she helped to coordinate the efforts. Parishes were involved as well as schools, St. Vincent De Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus.
The archdiocese submitted 20 applications for Syrian and Iraqi refugee sponsorship in 2014. That means 55 people in 20 families from the two countries will find homes in the archdiocese. In 2015, so far CSS has submitted 28 cases for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, involving another 63 people. Altogether, 14 parishes have been involved in rescuing persecuted people from Syria and Iraq.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Rethinking Refugee Camps: New solutions for human crises
The CBC radio program “The Current” hosted by Anna Maria Tremonte broadcast a program on Tuesday May 19, 2015. The program dealt with the fact that the United Nations Refugee Agency is re-thinking its approach to refugee camps. Two main guests were interviewed. They are: Catherine-Lune Grayson who has worked in refugee camps in East Africa and Yemen. She’s a PhD candidate at the Université de Montréal, and Michael Kagan who teaches law at the University of Nevada. He spent 10 years developing legal aid for refugees in the Middle East.
The program explains that there are more than 16 million refugees in the world today. Fewer than 10 percent of refugees in the world are resettled into a third country each year. Of those who are, Canada takes in about 1 in 10. In addition, 86% of the world’s refugees are hosted by developing countries. The main host countries to refugees are Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The Dadaab camp in eastern Kenya has about 350,000 people. It is now a 3rd generation camp, the world’s largest.
The United Nations (UNHCR) is discussing the possibility of creating alternatives to the traditional refugee camp. However, there are obstacles. For example, as Michael says there is a great need for emergency food and shelter, and then education for the children. The camp provides a controlled “open air prison” for people. Catherine states that the emergency situation makes the camps necessary, but for the long term, there is no need for them.
Stephen Corless from the UNHCR says that they are pursuing alternatives where possible. However, some governments have policy to set up camp only for the for safety of people. He believes refugees are better off living in community, but what about the long term? These are the questions to be explored. Michael calls for a multilayer approach.
You can listen to the entire program by clicking here.
Fr. Nawras Samnour – Jesuit Refugee Service – Syria
On February 17, 2015 Steve Paiken from “The Agenda” – a program broadcast from TVO in Ontario, held an interview with Fr. Samnour a Jesuit priest from Syria. He works with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Syria. He spoke about the situation of the people in Syria and how this service is trying to be of help. He speaks about his own history as a Syrian watching his country crash down in ruins and the many people killed and displaced. He mentioned that at one time refugees from other countries came to Syria for refuge but now the Syrians themselves are forced to leave. The Jesuit Refugee Service offers a variety of services. One is general assistance of food, clothing, household items etc. The next is medical aid. The reality is that many specialists like doctors and other medical personnel have left Syria so the need is great to offer this aid. The third is service to children in terms of psycho social and educational programs. In terms of ISIS he says very clearly they are “barbarians” and he cannot believe that people in the world can act in that way. For Fr. Samnour, the solution is not to have a big winner. In that way we have many losers. The solution is for all people to win. The future is bleak, he says, and it may mean that the whole process of peace must be “re-done”.
Please visit the Jesuit Refugee Service here.
You can watch the entire interview by clicking here.
St. Joseph’s Sisters Spearhead Call to Protect Migrants
January 25, 2015
In an article written by Michael Swan of the Catholic Register on January 25, 2015, he reports that the St. Joseph’s Sisters have taken a step toward protecting migrants. “We are calling for the globalization of solidarity through governmental policies that create comprehensive protection of the rights of all migrants,” says a paper submitted to the United Nations Commission for Social Development. The major author of the report is Sr. Sue Wilson, director of the CSJ Office for Systemic Justice in London, Ont. “In terms of the (United Nations’) convention to protect the rights of refugees, most people would see that as including the right to basic goods and services such as health care,” Wilson said. “The latest policy from the federal government has been trying to really help provinces to pull away from providing health care if they wish to do so. I’m not saying that Canada is minimalist, or that all of our policies are, but there are minimalist interpretations within that.”
The priority theme of the document is, “Rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world.” You can read the full document by clicking here.
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
JANUARY 18, 2015
“CHURCH WITHOUT FRONTIERS, MOTHER TO ALL”
Archdioceses and Dioceses across Canada are celebrating this important day. Here is a small sample of some events in Canada to mark this day.
CALGARY
Refugee Day Mass – Monday January 19 @ 7:00pm. Organized by Couples for Christ, the Diocese and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. Mass to be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary.
HAMILTON
Multicultural Mass – Sunday January 18 @ 1:00pm. Mass to be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton.
TORONTO
Mass to celebrate World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Sunday January 18 @ 11:00am. Mass to be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 202 St. Patrick St. Organized by the Toronto Chinese Catholic Task Force.
VANCOUVER
World Day of Migrants & Refugees Mass – Sunday January 18 @ 2:30pm. Mass to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 555 S. Slocan St. Vancouver.
CHRISTMAS 2014
“Rise and take the child”
“Behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said “Rise and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt”. –Matthew 2:13
And so we are the followers of Jesus who was once himself a refugee.
At this time of year we recall the 2nd Annual Catholic Conference on Resettlement held in December 2012. One of the speakers from the Middle East said that while here in the West Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, in much of the Middle East it is a time of church bombings.
We hope that for Christmas and the New Year we can continue to carry the message of that Conference which was the genesis of the CRSC and do our part with your prayers and help. The problem of Refugees seems almost insurmountable and worsening daily.
But we were born to Faith, Hope and Charity as children in the Light of Christ and it is this that propels us forward to do what we can to lessen the plight of those driven from their homes by persecution and violence.
Our Best Wishes to every one for a Holy and Safe Christmas from all of us at CRSC.
Highlights
“Let’s Take Action: Let’s Help Immigrants”
Violence in Ottawa and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
+ Paul-André Durocher Archbishop of Gatineau, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on Friday October 24, 2014 calling this is a time of profound national sadness for all Canadians in the wake of the attacks in Ottawa and Quebec. He says, “We worry that the horror of terrorism is taking root in our soil”. He calls on all of us to work for peace and justice for human beings everywhere.
Please read the full statement
Why has Canada only taken 200 Syrian Refugees?
Why has Canada only taken in 200 Syrian refugees?
Toronto Star Sunday September 21, 2014
Dr. Martin Mark states, Why has Canada only taken in 200 Syrian refugees? In the three and a half years war has raged in Syria, displacing 10 million people, Canada has struggled to resettle fewer than 200 Syrian refugees overseas and is still processing asylum applications from another 1,300 who made their way to Canada on their own. In 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada created a new Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg to rapidly vet private sponsorship applications. The goal was to complete the initial application review in 30 days. At current staffing and productivity levels, it is estimated that it will take (the office) over two years to clear the existing inventory of cases, in addition to almost two and a half years to process projected 2014 application submissions.
“This year, the shift was moving from a sort of balanced global approach towards Syria,” Immigration Minister Chris Alexander told the Star. “And as the Syrian crisis and the UN appeals have come forward, we’ve tried to shift our planning in response.”
“There is no political will to be either fast or flexible,” says Naomi Alboim, chair of Queen’s University’s Policy Forum and a former deputy-minister of citizenship in Ontario.
Please read the full article located here.
CHRISTMAS – 2020
“No pandemic or crisis can turn off the light of Christ” – Pope Francis
In many of our homes the nativity scene is rich with symbols that touch us deeply, and bring delight to children of all ages. These symbols are full of hope for us in this time of crisis and pandemic. Jesus is the love of God, who was revealed to us to reach that goodness which has been poured out on the world.
“God will once again be born in us and in our midst.”
From all of us here at CRSC we wish you a blessed and holy Christmas season and the New Year.
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RED WEDNESDAY – SHINING A LIGHT ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION IN THE WORLD
Wednesday November 18 Canada celebrated “Red Wednesday” – a day to shine a light on the persecution of Christians around the world. Cathedrals were bathed in red light in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal for Red Wednesday.
Sixty-five Roman Catholic parishes in Southern Alberta will participate in Red Wednesday by illuminating the façade of their churches, hosting a mass, wearing red or praying a rosary. Red Wednesday is a day dedicated to drawing attention to persecuted Christians around the world.
It was the third year that Toronto’s St. Michael’s Cathedral was lit up for Red Wednesday, an annual global event in remembrance of Christians who have died or are being persecuted for their faith.
Mark von Riedemann, director for public affairs and religious freedom of Aid to the Church in Need speaks about Red Wednesday. Please watch the video here: Red Wednesday
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Our response to the Gift of Jesus – “Thank You”
Please watch the video produced by KAIROS Canada – thanksgiving , a time of sharing.
Thanksgiving
KAIROS is a joint venture ecumenical program administered by the United Church of Canada. Ten participating member denominations and religious organizations are involved in the development and delivery of our shared work.Visit their website; KAIROS Canada
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Care of the Earth, concern for Migrants are connected
The Catholic Register published an article on August 27, 2020 linking the care for creation to concern for migrants. The Catholic Church and Christians around the world mark Sept. 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and celebrate the Season of Creation from that date through Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees is Sept. 27.
Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny says the “common thread” among the celebrations, especially in 2020, the cardinal said, “is our common home in which the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are one cry.”
“The two situations are more than parallels; they connect concretely in the area of food production,” he said. “The need for the energies, talents and creativity of migrants has become more evident everywhere; so too has the need for ensuring the survival of earth, air and water.”
You can read the full article here: Environment and Migrants
Iraqi Christians Could Face Extinction
In an article published by the Catholic Register on July 7, 2020 there is a report from the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The report, “Life after ISIS: New Challenges for Christianity in Iraq,” is based on a survey of Christians in the liberated Ninevah Plains.
The ACN says the region’s Christian population could plummet to 23,000 within four years. It reports that the state of Iraq itself is burdened by sanctions, poor security, extreme corruption, and an unpredictable political system.
In 2017 the ACN launched a plan to rebuild Christian homes in Iraq. It helped restore 2,860 damaged or destroyed Christian homes in six cities and villages on the Ninevah Plains. It now plans to focus on rebuild the infrastructure of church-run facilities.
The ACN is calling on the Governments of Iraq to restore security in the region. ACN says its surveys “continue to reveal the Iraqi Christians have a resilience not only to survive but, given more favorable conditions, to emerge from the margins to serve as an important instrument in the rebuilding of a peaceful, pluralistic and healthy society.”
You can read the entire article here: Iraqi Christians
Crisis could bring spike in refugee backlog
The Catholic Register, in its July 15, 2020 edition reports that refugee sponsors are worried about the backlog building up as they wait for travel restrictions to ease so they can start again helping new arrivals ease into jobs, apartments and communities.
“In a normal year we would have welcomed somewhere between 100 and 300 refugee families (between 225 and 650 people) during the March to July period. This year it is zero,” said Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto director Deacon Rudy Ovcjak in an email.
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that sponsors have been free to submit applications and in-Canada processing of those applications has continued. But the process stops there. The final stage in which the applications are sent to overseas visa posts, where interviews with refugees are arranged, is suspended. Only when conditions allow, will there be any resumption of processing.
IRCC media relations officer Rémi Lariviére indicated that appropriate documentation and instructions to help settle refugees will be sent to sponsors at the appropriate time. Citizens for Public Justice refugee expert Stephen Kaduuli says that backlogs are still a big issue. As of July 31, 2019, the actual wait time for a refugee sponsored through a Sponsorship Agreement Holder was well over two years (27 months). For other parts of the private sponsorship system the wait times are nearly as long — 23 months for community sponsors and 19 months for “Group of Five” sponsors.
The article concludes; less than 15 per cent of the 1.1 million immigrants the Canadian government was planning to welcome between 2020 and 2022 are refugees. Almost two-thirds (63.4 per cent) of sponsored refugees arriving in Canada in 2019 were privately sponsored.
Please read the entire article here: Spike in Refugee backlog
CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD
The resurrection of Christ is the crowning truth of our faith. The Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice wishes all the best for you and your families and loved ones at this very special time.
May the good news of Easter fill your hearts with joy!
You’re a Refugee. Now You Face COVID-19.
Refugees, who face impossible situations even in better times, are being pushed beyond human endurance by the coronavirus pandemic. Susan Korah wrote this article for Convivium published on March 24, 2020.
“This is a story about a segment of humanity in extremis—people caught either in a war against religious freedom, in the crossfires of actual military combat, or both—and in the grip of the deadly coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the world like a raging forest fire.” Susan Korah cites the example of people who fled from Pakistan to Thailand. Peter Bhatti is the chairman of International Christian Voice, a Toronto-based NGO that advocates for the human rights of Pakistan’s beleaguered faith minorities. He says, ““Thailand is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention on Refugees. This means refugees have no rights there, no access to education or healthcare, and no right to work and make a living. Most continue to live there as illegal aliens because religious extremism in Pakistan is escalating day by day.”
That was in relatively better times, before the COVID-19 outbreak hit Thailand.
“They are fed a diet of only rice and cucumber water. Skin diseases, breathing problems, asthma, anxiety and depression were rampant. Today, if coronavirus infects people in these centres, the consequences would be devastating, with no medical treatment available at all,” says Peter.
The Sweden-based NGO, A Demand for Action (ADFA), is heroically continuing its refugee-assisting operations in the face of massive financial and logistical challenges. “These people, these children have fled massacres and genocide; they have been living in appalling conditions. Many have weak immune systems, and now this coronavirus has exploded,” says Nuri Kino founder and coordinator of ADFA. Currently 15 ADFA volunteers are working on the ground.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, another humanitarian organization that helps refugees in 30 countries, is stepping up its efforts including a hygiene and information campaign in Afghanistan and Iran.
Even countries like Canada, which can afford billions of dollars in financial relief for its own citizens during the crisis, will be hard-pressed to help refugees outside its own borders.
The only way we can stand in solidarity with international refugees, Secretary General Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council exhorted the world to do, is for each of us to become profoundly aware of our common humanity, and to live in accordance with the new rules that health experts have advised us to follow.
Please read the entire article: Now You Face COVID-19
World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2018
“Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting and Integrating Migrants and Refugees”
The theme for the 104th annual World Day of Migrants & Refugees was “Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees” as announced by Pope Francis. Many dioceses across Canada engaged in events to especially mark this important day.
In Vancouver British Columbia, Archbishop J. Michael Miller C.S.B. celebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Parish where many people from various backgrounds attended. Many of the prayers for the Mass were offered in various languages. Following Mass there was a cultural celebration with newly arrived participants from various cultures performing. Food from various parts of the world was also served.
In Hamilton Ontario, Bishop Crosby celebrated a Multicultural Mass on January 21, 2018 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Music for the Mass was provided by a variety of cultures and languages. Newcomers sponsored to Canada under the Private Sponsorship for Refugees Program as well as the Blended Visa Office Referred program were among those who gathered for the event! Please see the pictures and description here: Multicultural Mass
In Windsor Ontario, the Asmaro Chaldean Society held a Mass on December 28 for newcomers and their families.
In Toronto Ontario, Bishop Bawai Soro of the Chaldean Eparchy celebrated Mass and Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick delivered the homily. The Mass took place at the Good Shepherd Chaldean Cathedral on January 14, 2018. A reception with food and remarks from former refugees followed the Mass.
PRAYER FOR MIGRANTS
God the Father, source of life and love, we are all your children; with your providential care guide the path of all migrant people.
God the Son, obedient to the will of the Father, You have called us to a holy life; may migrant people hold on to their faith in You especially in moments of difficulties.
God the Holy Spirit, fountain of all gifts, may migrant people open their hearts to You so that they may be inspired to hold on to their hope.
Through the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we all at the end of our earthly journey be reunited in the place her Son has prepared for us.
Amen.
Please read the entire document from Pope Francis here: World Day of Migrants & Refugees 2018
You may also watch the Pope as he celebrates Mass in Rome on Sunday January 14 – World Day of Migrants and Refugees: Holy Mass
PEACE BE WITH YOU – CHRISTMAS 2017
PEACE BE WITH YOU
This is the greeting we hear so often at Mass and many other liturgical celebrations.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; John 14, 27
Pope Francis, in his message this Christmas 2017 prayed of peace: peace to those suffering in wars and conflict, those suffering especially children. He prayed for real peace.
CRSC echoes this sentiment. May God who became a child inspire all of us to work for peace, unity and accord.
We wish you and all your loved ones that the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” Philippians 4:6-7
St. NICHOLAS – PATRON OF SPONSORS!
St. Nicholas, the first Santa Claus, is or could/should be the patron saint of all sponsors of refugees. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. There are many accounts of St. Nicholas helping the poor and especially the children. These stories help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
Those who sponsor refugees are just like St. Nicholas. They go out of their way to provide the basic necessities to refugees – food, shelter, clothing and love. It is time we honour and be thankful to all the sponsors of refugees. Their dedication, time and talents have helped thousands of refugees to enjoy a better life.
Watch this short video about St. Nicholas: St. Nicholas Documentary
Here is a short prayer you can say to invoke the blessing of St. Nicholas:
Saint Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ, assist us in your loving kindness.
HOSTING REFUGEES IN RELIGIOUS HOUSES
The Refugees and Migrants Working Group (RMWG) hosted the JPIC English Promoters Meeting last October 18. Twenty-eight congregations are currently hosting refugees in 30 of their houses. Since the beginning of the project (2014), 111 persons are on their own.
With Fr. Jude Nnorom, CSSP as facilitator, the session began with the prayer on the reality of migration. This was followed by the experiences shared by four resource persons who spoke of their community’s blessings, challenges, best practices and questions. They include Sr. Maria Josè Rosa of the Ursulines of the Roman Union, Fr. Nico Espinosa of the Society of the Divine Word, Fr. David Reid of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, and Sr. Carmen Elissa Bandeo of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings
- Assisting families and persons to be independent and to recover the dimension of intimacy and family.
- Refugees/migrants are helped to create new links of networks, contacts, acquaintances and opportunities.
- Responding to the call of the Church and to participate in her mission, refugee/migrants have helped us to develop sensitivity to their cultural and religious plurality.
Challenges
- The language becomes a barrier for communication. Caution is necessary regarding boundary issues, while offering advice, feedback, providing accompaniment, and caring for their health.
- There is fear of suffering due to xenophobia and prejudices. Complex issues are related to money.
- Faced with new people and culture, there is an unconscious drive to save their identity, while integrating into their new local reality.
Best practices
- Treating them like neighbors, friends and long term guests; celebrating their important days; keeping the balance between respect for their privacy and making our presence with them; assigning a member of the community as reference point for refugees; stating the boundaries clearly with due care for their employment and religious perspectives; informing them of expectations; respecting the desire to give back in small ways like sharing their meal.
- The project has to be regularly evaluated and updated.
Questions
- How to help the refugees take responsibility for their own life and to create a network amongst themselves to promote better conditions for their lives.
- How can we develop and make known the right of all to emigrate and immigrate, as stated in Catholic Social teaching (cf. Compendium of the Social doctrine of the church, no. 100, 289, 297, 298, 308, and 505).
- How do we balance the needs of the refugees/migrants and the local community? Sr. Maria Jose Rey Merodio, Coordinator of the Centro Astaili Program for Congregations in Rome, explained the Semi-Autonomy Project: Community of Hospitality, which facilitates the exit of refugees from the reception circuit, creating a bridge to accompany the passage from assisted reception to autonomy. The project allows the gradual involvement of the beneficiaries in the direct participation in their own sustenance and in the re-appropriation of the administration of everyday life. They help to create new links in the territory and insertion in the fabric of society. The project makes possible new forms of widespread reception.
Challenges for the Centro Astali Program include: finding a stable and regular working insertion, finding places to rent on a regular basis after the period of semi-autonomous reception, adhering to a straight-line path of integration, logistic and bureaucratic difficulties linked to being transferred—residence, school insertion of minors, being taken charge by the relevant social services, etc., accepting the conclusion of the reception period, cultural difficulties (saving money, maintenance of the spaces, etc.).
We are grateful that the RMWG will be developing a handbook to share their experiences with other persons interested in working with refugees and migrants.
Following are references to more information regarding refugees/migrants:
Sendai framework for disaster reduction
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
Contributed by S.Vincent Anesthasiar, CMF
CARDINAL PLEADS FOR AID TO PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
On September 11, the Catholic Register published an article written by Michael Swan that dealt with the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
The occasion was an ecumenical prayer service for peace in the Middle East. Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, appealed directly to the Canadian government to pay special attention to Christian refugees as it distributes aid in the region and accepts refugees for resettlement.
In attendance at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Sept. 10th, were both clergy and lay people representing about a dozen Christian churches — Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.
The Cardinal spoke frankly and said, “Justice and human decency requires … that all of us, and especially our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here — and obviously, especially, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.”
In his remarks, Collins spoke of remembering the victims of violence, terror and persecution around the world, and especially our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt and throughout the Middle East.
What are we to do? the Cardinal asks. He offers several suggestions. These include:
- That every human effort be made by governments and all of us to do whatever can be done on a human level to protect those who are being persecuted. Support the Catholic Near Eastern Welfare Association (CNEWA).
- Our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.
- Do what we can to raise awareness in our secular society,
In his conclusion the Cardinal reminds us of the prayer at Mass – “we pray, that to your faithful who suffer for your name’s sake a spirit of patience and charity, they may be found true and faithful witnesses to the promises you have made.”
Please read the entire article at the Catholic Register website: Cardinal Collins Pleads for Aid
You can also find the article here on the CRSC website: Cardinal Collins pleads for aid to Christian refugees
Your comments are welcome. Please send us an email and react to this posting: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
JOURNEY TO JUSTICE
On August 2nd 2017, the Prairie Messenger posted an article written by Joe Gunn, Director of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). In the article he discusses various activities of the Churches in Canada. He mentions the history of the involvement of faith-based groups in settling refugees in Canada. Catholics mobilized to welcome refugees who arrived in special movements from Hungary in the 1950s, Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, and even Uganda in the 1970s. He also writes about the Canadian Council of Churches joining Amnesty International and the Canadian Council for Refugees in a court challenge to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), a deal which endangers the lives of asylum-seekers.
Another interesting historic note is that in March 1979, the Mennonites signed the first Master Agreement with Ottawa to facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees.
He finally calls on the faith groups to go beyond the hard work of receiving and settling newcomers, our faith communities must continue to advocate for improved governmental policies related to refugees. Wait times are still too long, stretching over six years for sponsorship applications from some parts of Africa.
You can read the full article here: Journey to justice Aug. 2017
You can also find the article on the website of the Prairie Messenger
Advocates worry new agreement will hurt private sponsorship refugee program
In an article by Michael Swan of the Catholic Register published on June 22, 2017, Dr. Martin Mark expresses concern that the draft five-year agreements between the federal government and the agencies who sponsor refugees threaten to make private sponsorship of refugees more like government sponsorship. The result may be a draining of the bank accounts of private sponsors.
A Government IRCC spokesman Rémi Lariviére indicated that the Government is not trying to take over the private sponsorship program or make it more like the government’s sponsorship program.
Dr. Mark believes that by paying refugees to stay home and take a few hours of language classes per day ignores the success private sponsors have had in getting refugees employed and self-sufficient quickly.
Mr. Lariviére has said that a large part of the difference is explained by which refugees are privately sponsored versus government sponsored.
In recent statements, Cardinal Thomas Collins has indicated private sponsors should be the voice of the voiceless in the refugee camps. Referrals from the United Nations are accepted regularly in Toronto.
Please read the entire article from the Register here: Advocates Worry
You can also read it here on the CRSC site: Advocates worry new agreement will hurt private sponsorship refugee program June 22, 2017
Take a moment to provide some feedback about this issue. You can send us an email at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Every minute 24 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. The UNHCR has proclaimed June 20 as “World Refugee Day”. UN Secretary-General, António Guterre says “On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20th, we commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.”
A Prayer for Refugees:
Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger, homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please visit this link for further information: World Refugee Day
Immigration minister – faster processing times for refugees
The Catholic Register had an article by Michael Swan in the April 27 edition of the paper. It presented a response from Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to the issues raised by many groups in Canada with respect to slow processing times for refugees wishing to come to Canada. Hussen claims the problems are an overhang from the previous Conservative government and that processing times will shrink to less than 12 months.
The government has committed to bring in 25,000 government-sponsored refugees and another 16,000 privately-sponsored. The majority of the privately-sponsored are brought in by faith groups, with various Catholic agencies sponsoring the most.
The concern is that a two-tier refugee system has been created in Canada, where Syrians get prompt processing and refugees from other parts of the world languish. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Hussen.
Increased numbers of refugees making asylum claims inside Canada — including a wave coming across the American border out of sight of official border crossings — have no bearing on the government’s refugee policies or levels plan, Hussen said.
You can read the entire article here: Immigration minister vows faster processing times for refugees April 2017
It is also available on the Catholic Register site: Faster Processing Times
Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota
The Catholic Register published an article on May 4, 2017 by Michael Swan reporting that the Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) has been forced to suspend all new applications to sponsor refugees for the rest of this year due to persistent backlogs in government processing.
Director Dr. Martin Mark is quoted as saying, “People are very frustrated, we are very disappointed. This is not a good situation.”
This situation has affected all of Canada. For example, the refugee office in the Diocese of London received a 2017 quota of 157, but has 401 applications in process. London will have to decide which 244 applications can wait until 2018.
The Mennonite Central Committee of Canada national migration and resettlement program co-ordinator Brian Dyck said, “These limits have certainly built up a shadow backlog of cases that are not on any government database but are in our minds and hearts. It is difficult to know how to unburden our hearts of this backlog.”
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen plans to bring the applications and landings back into balance and cut the time between an application submitted and a refugee arriving down below 12 months in 2019.
You can read the entire article from the Catholic Register here: Sponsors Put On Hold
The article is also to be found here: Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota May 2017
You can read what others are saying about this issues here: Backlog, Wait Times
HE IS RISEN – ALLELUIA!
We at the CRSC wish every grace and blessing of Easter to all. The words of Pope Francis ring true to us: “The Church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay” ( Mt 28:5-6).”
We especially pray for all the newcomers to Canada, wishing them all the blessings of the risen Lord. The admonition of Pope Francis is very poignant: “Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely professing their faith.”
South Sudan Refugees Look to the Pope for Hope
The Prairie Messenger, in the March 15, 2017 edition published an article written by Michael Swan discussing the situation in South Sudan. It seems that Pope Francis would like to visit South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Luciano Moro, from the Office for Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto, a refugee from South Sudan, hopes that this visit would inspire a national reconciliation process. The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that there are 7.5 million Sudanese requiring some help and protection. The South Sudan’s Catholic Bishops have been working with others to try to develop an “Action Plan for Peace”. This is risky because the Church will then become a target.
Please reads the full article here in the Prairie Messenger: South Sudan
You may also read the editorial on this subject in the Catholic Register: South Sudan Crying
Pope Francis – to the International Forum on Migration and Peace
Integration and Development: From Reaction to Action
In his address to the conference on February 21, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with a Section concerned exclusively for migrants, refugees and the victims of human trafficking. He indicated that our response should be characterized by the following four action words: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate.
To Welcome: For those who flee conflicts and terrible persecutions, often trapped within the grip of criminal organisations who have no scruples, we need to open accessible and secure humanitarian channels.
To Protect: Defending their inalienable rights, ensuring their fundamental freedoms and respecting their dignity are duties from which no one can be exempted.
To Promote: efforts must be encouraged that lead to the implementation of programmes of international cooperation, free from partisan interests, and programmes of transnational development which involve migrants as active protagonists.
To Integrate: for the Christian community, the peaceful integration of persons of various cultures is, in some way, a reflection of its catholicity, since unity, which does not nullify ethnic and cultural diversity, constitutes a part of the life of the Church, who in the Spirit of Pentecost is open to all and desires to embrace all.
The Pope then went on the elaborate on duties that flow from these four actions:
Duty of Justice: One group of individuals cannot control half of the world’s resources. We cannot allow for persons and entire peoples to have a right only to gather the remaining crumbs.
Duty of Civility: Today more than ever, it is necessary to affirm the centrality of the human person, without allowing immediate and ancillary circumstances, or even the necessary fulfillment of bureaucratic and administrative requirements, to obscure this essential dignity.
Duty of Solidarity: Solidarity is born precisely from the capacity to understand the needs of our brothers and sisters who are in difficulty and to take responsibility for these needs. Upon this, in short, is based the sacred value of hospitality, present in religious traditions.
In conclusion he reiterates what he said for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “we need to work towards protection, integration and long-term solutions”.
Please read the entire presentation here: Integration & Development
Sixth Annual Mass Celebrates Migrants and Refugees
The B.C. Catholic newspaper published a “Good News” story from the Diocese of Vancouver as they celebrated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on January 15, 2017. Pope Francis issued a statement for this occasion in the universal Church with the theme “Child Migrants, the Vulnerable and the Voiceless“.
The article by Josh Tng described the event complete with music, international dress, and food from around the world. There were 900 immigrants, refugees, and temporary workers, along with friends and family who celebrated the 103rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees at St. Matthew’s Church.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, in his homily at the Mass said, “All of us are immigrants, refugees, or descendants of such”. He also thanked those who sponsored refugees, both as individuals and through their parishes.
After Mass, the crowd gathered in the school gymnasium, where food representing their various cultures was laid around the table and shared. Attendees representing nationalities including Indonesia, Poland, Latin America and Africa performed traditional dances and songs for entertainment.
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass is a “great opportunity to come together, to worship together,” said the Service and Justice office’s Evelyn Vollet. The office worked hard to invite refugees to attend the Mass “because we wanted to celebrate the solidarity this Mass is about,” she said.
Please read the entire article here: Sixth Annual Mass
The story of Christ’s birth as described in St. Luke’s gospel Chapter 2 is filled with thoughts for our reflection at this most important time of the year. “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn”. The angels announce to the shepherds, “I bring you news of great joy to be shared by the whole people”. After the shepherds came to visit Jesus St. Luke says “They went back glorifying and praising God”. The shepherds are the first evangelists.
These three short passages inspire us – we all come to this earth vulnerable and yet very precious to God. The joy of this birth is to be shared, and we are called to be the new shepherds, the new evangelists. We respond to Gods love by praising and glorifying Him.
From all of us here at CRSC, we hope and pray for God blessing and peace at this time.
“Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will”.
Canadian help for Yazidis must take other refugees into account
The Catholic Register, on October 28, 2016 published an article written by Deborah Gyapong, which points out that the Government needs to attend to other refugees elsewhere in the world. The Government supported the Conservative motion to recognize ISIS’ genocide against Yazidis and to provide asylum for Yazidi women and girls within 120 days. While many are supporting this initiative, there are advocates who have some questions.
Some refugee advocates worry about fast-tracking yet another group, when problems created by bringing in 25,000 Syrian refugees in a short time-frame have not been addressed. In addition there are several groups whose cases have yet to be quickly addressed. For example many African refugees face processing times of over 70 months. Carl Hétu, national director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) said the government decision is a good one, but more needs to be done. His organization and the Catholic Church in Canada have highlighted concerns about Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities who were displaced inside Iraq when ISIS invaded Mosul and the Nineveh Plain in 2014.
Meanwhile, a coalition of forces is trying to retake Mosul from ISIS, and Hétu fears the battle—if it lasts a few more months— could create another 1.2 million misplaced persons.
You can read the full article here: Yazidis
CCCB LETTER TO JOHN McCALLUM MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP
On October 6, 2016 Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, O.M.I. President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) sent a letter to the Honourable John McCallum Minister or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Bishop Crosby began by congratulating the Canadian Government for its dealing with the refugee crisis in Syria over the last year.
The letter goes on to point out some of the “growing pains” that have emerged recently. One issue is the long wait times for sponsoring groups from the application process to arrival of the refugee. This has meant that groups are spending money and making commitments with no assurance that the refugees will arrive. There is a call on the Government to process the cases as “quickly as possible”. The result of this delay, the Bishop says, may result in groups losing interest in this effort and may develop a negative perception of the promises of the Government.
The processing office in Winnipeg was also mentioned. They are no longer expediting Syrian refugee claims. The point is also made that “in the spirit of fairness and non-discrimination” processing of all refugees must be a top concern. Finally, the goals of being more clear and transparent in the refugee claims process are ones that the CCCB is looking forward to seeing.
Please read the full letter here: Minister McCallum
The Toronto Star newspaper also published an article on this letter. You can read it here: Delays
Your response is welcome as always: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Joint Ecumenical Letter – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has co-authored a letter to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) dated October 4, 2016. The letter is addressed to the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MP Minister for International Development and La Francophonie. In this letter, signed by the Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as representatives of the Anglican, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, United Church and Quakers.
The letter urges Canada to restore its annual contribution in support of the work of the UNRWA, and to increase its contribution significantly. People in the Middle East suffer from vulnerability and deepening poverty. The growing level of need far outpaces the financial support, most of which is through voluntary donations. The letter describes how there have been drastic cuts to UNRWA schools, hospitals and food assistance programs. It also notes that the healthcare, education and vocational training UNRWA provides is crucial for the well-being of women in Palestinian society.
Finally, the letter urges the government to act quickly and decisively to restore Canada’s urgently needed contribution to UNRWA.
Please read the full letter here: UNRWA
CRSC – Augustinians – UN Summit on Refugees
The Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) has teamed up with the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice (CACSJ) to focus on the situation of refugees and migrants and the United Nations. On September 19, 2016 the UN hosted the High-Level Plenary Meeting to Address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the UN headquarters in New York. The CRSC followed this one day conference very closely along with the CACSJ. The Augustinians (Augustinians International) have been represented at the United Nations for several years. They began as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and now have Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status.
You can read the entire report from the CRSC and the CACSJ here: Summit Report
The following are some highlights from the summit in New York.
Participants at this meeting came from most member states of the United Nations. There were opening remarks, round table discussions, and other side events during the day. Canada was represented by Stephane Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. The United States was represented by John Kerry, Secretary of State and Barach Obama, President.
The New York Declaration
The discussion at the summit resulted in all members agreeing to the “New York Declaration”. Some of the main commitments include:
- Protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.
- Ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.
- Work towards ending the practice of detaining children for the purposes of determining their migration status.
- Implement a comprehensive refugee response, based on a new framework that sets out the responsibility of Member States, civil society partners and the UN system, whenever there is a large movement of refugees or a protracted refugee situation.
- Start negotiations leading to an international conference and the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018.
- Achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees by adopting a global compact on refugees in 2018.
You can read the entire New York Declaration here: New York Declaration
United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon opened the session. He spoke of migrants and refugees not to be seen as a burden but a great potential. He pledged that with cooperation no refugee or migrant will be left behind. He outlined some of the initiatives and agreements in the declaration.
You can watch the video of Ban Ki-moon at this link: Ban Ki-moon Opening Remarks
There were six round tables which focused on various topics. Some of the presenters included the Holy See, Prime Minister Trudeau and others.
Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson from Sweden offered some closing remarks to the high level meeting. He indicated that this issue is one of the most challenging of our time.
For further information please choose this link: UN Summit
USCCB – REFUGEES & MIGRANTS
Since July 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has spoken out about the refugee crisis with reports and press releases. Three publications will be highlighted here.
Moment of Decision: Seeking Durable Solutions in Southeast Asia, July 2016
In July and August 2016, a delegation from Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops travelled to Southeast Asia to show the U.S. Catholic bishops’ solidarity with refugees and other populations of concern in those countries and with the local Catholic bishops and with Catholic and other faith-based and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) responding to their needs. The delegation assessed the protracted humanitarian crisis of Burma/Myanmar at this critical moment in its history, including the plight of certain internally displaced people (IDPs). In Thailand, the delegation, led by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Chair of the Committee on Migration of USCCB, and including staff from USCCB/MRS, visited a Bangkok detention center that held many
urban refugees.
Many recommendations flowed from this report and visit.
- To the Catholic Church – Provide generous funding and resources through the Catholic Church and her NGOs to contribute to the above efforts, particularly to strengthen the role of the local Catholic Church of Indonesia
- To Australia – Reconsider your interdiction policies and more fully share the responsibility for welcoming and protecting refugees and asylum seekers in the region
- To the United States – Work closely with Australia and Southeast Asian countries to support Myanmar’s new government and neighboring refugee host nations to resolve the protracted refugee and IDP crisis
Please read the full report here: Moment of Decision
We Must Overcome Partisan Divides on Migration Issues, September 14, 2016
This statement was issued just prior to the UN Summit on Refugees held in New York on September 19, 2016. In this statement Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Migration, reiterated the long-standing teachings on migration, which are rooted in the Gospel message of welcome and grounded in Catholic social teaching. He reminded us of Pope Francis’ call on all Americans to “seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
Bishop Elizondo emphasized that it is not enough that we welcome the migrants into our communities. The political and religious leaders of this great nation must work with the leaders of other countries to help create the conditions so people do not feel compelled to migrate in the first place.He concludes by saying, we must seek a world in which everyone has access to the economic, political, and social opportunities to live in freedom and dignity, and to achieve a full life through the use of their God-given gifts.
Please read the full statement here: Overcome Partisan Divides
USCCB Migration and Refugee Services Releases Refugee Report Ahead of U.N. Refugee Summit, September 19, 2016
This report is a summary of the July 2016 report from the USCCB Migration and Refugee Services. The statement focuses on Burma /Myanmar’s decades-long refugee crisis which prompted a trip to the region also including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia. Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, who led the delegation said, “This trip was eye-opening for me. I join my brother bishops in the Burma region and elsewhere to pray for peace and continued reform and rebuilding in the country. I pray for continued protection, humanitarian assistance, and pursuit of durable solutions for all those who are displaced.”
Some of the findings include:
- A special focus is needed on the Rohingya refugees challenge
- There is a disturbing pattern of human trafficking of refugees and migrant workers throughout the region
- Those seeking refuge in temporary shelters in Thailand continue to experience a reduction in humanitarian support, including reduced food rations.
- Increased numbers of Pakistani Christians seeking refuge in Thailand and Malaysia
Please read the full statement here: Refugee Services Report
Where are the Refugees?
The Catholic Register, in their September 17, 2016 article by Michael Swan, outlines some of the frustrations that many sponsors are feeling by the delays in processing of refugees. Project Hope, in the Archdiocese of Toronto for example, and their sponsorship groups have been able to greet just 44 refugee families, 133 individuals, at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. That leaves 110 Project Hope sponsorship cases, representing 274 individuals, still waiting for their ticket to Canada. One parish sponsoring group was waiting so long that the family decided to go to Australia instead.
“We also must reiterate our message to the government to expedite the arrival of those who have been left behind not only in the Middle East but in so many other areas of conflict. We believe much more can and should be done,” Cardinal Collins said. Another example is the case of a group waiting and six months into the process, on Feb. 8, 2016 a helpful Citizenship and Immigration employee was able to write send an e-mail reporting her department was then “working on files from August/September 2015.”
Immigration expects 6,000 more government-assisted and blended visa Syrian refugees to arrive between mid-September and the end of December, plus an unspecified number of privately sponsored refugees whose cases have already been finalized. The Syrian fast track has come to an end, according to Immigration officials. Canadian policy that favours Syrians and ignores Iraq has caused many groups to be angry with the system.
Please read the entire article here: Sponsors Frustration
You can read the article in the Catholic Register here: Where are the Refugees?
Getting Syrians here was easy. Now comes the hard part.
Maclean’s Magazine, on August 9, 2016 published an article written by Michael Friscolanti in which he details and describes the process of refugees from Syrian hearing the news that they will be brought to Canada and how happy they are to be here. In the article he reports on an interview he had with Rabea Allos from the CRSC. Mr. Friscolanti poses the inevitable questions about this whole process. These include: “Now that they’re here, will all of them thrive? Are we doing enough to ensure their long-term integration? And if not, what are the consequences years down the road”?
He reports that many Canadians do not feel there are enough resources in place to ensure a smooth transition to Canada – these include; food banks, language classes, housing, job training and mental health services etc.The Senate Standing Committee recommended that the Government boost funding for language classes and mental health services.
The article mentions the fact that refugee stakeholders are bracing for one event: “month 13.” Whether privately sponsored or government-assisted, Syrian refugees receive one year of financial support; after that, they are expected to support themselves—or apply for welfare. No one knows for sure how many will end up on welfare. Canada boasts a well-respected suite of settlement agencies and service providers that assist tens of thousands of newcomers every year. But never have so many refugees arrived so quickly, creating inevitable clogs.
“If you look at language as a unifier and one of the chief roadblocks to obtaining employment—which is a big integration factor — this is a big concern,” says Michelle Rempel, the Conservative immigration critic who sits on the House committee. “Some will do better than others,” says Carolyn Davis, executive director of Catholic Crosscultural Services, a settlement agency that also provides training courses for private sponsors.
“One refugee that fails resettlement is not acceptable, because it means we as a society failed to make sure those people integrated,” says Rabea Allos, director of the Catholic Refugee Sponsors Council, an umbrella organization for private sponsorship groups. “You don’t want, a year or two down the road, for Canadians to become upset with the refugee program and believe that some people are abusing the system. They will say: ‘You know what? Let’s stop getting refugees in.’ This is the concern. We want the program to work so Canadians will continue this compassion toward bringing more refugees.”
You can read the full article in Maclean’s Magazine at this link: Getting Syrians Here Was Easy
You can also find the article on our website at this link: Syrian Refugees – the Hard Part
Your comments are most welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Committee (CRSC) Presents at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration – July, 2016
Rabea Allos, an executive member of the CRSC spoke for a second time at the July committee meeting in Ottawa. Two topics were presented. One is the distinction between refugees and vulnerable people and groups. The distinction is between “protection needs” and “resettlement needs”. The goal is the protection of all refugees locally until a durable solution is available. The option for resettlement in destination countries is usually preserved to the most vulnerable who cannot be repatriated to their homeland nor locally integrated in the host country; simply because they cannot go back to their normal life in the home countries.
The second topic is that of indigenous people. A United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.
Canada officially adopted and promised to implement the declaration fully in January 2016. Minister Carolyn Bennett announced, “We are now a full supporter of the declaration, without qualification. We intend nothing less than to adopt and implement the declaration in accordance with the Canadian Constitution.” This support does not apply to the indigenous people of Canada only; Canada is now committed to indigenous people worldwide. The goal of the Declaration is to encourage countries to work alongside indigenous peoples to solve global issues, like development, multicultural democracy and decentralization.
The CRSC encouraged the Canadian government, as well as other governments, to give special attention to the ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria, in particular Chaldeans, Syriacs, Assyrians, Mandeans and Yezidis because they are the indigenous peoples of the land. Without this protection and resettlement those communities will disappear forever.
Please read the entire presentation – Refugees/Vulnerable Groups & Indigenous People
Your comments are encouraged: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Church joins U.K. project to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has joined a government project to resettle an estimated 20,000 refugees from the Syrian war. This was reported by the Catholic News Service on July 21, 2016 written by Simon Caldwell. The refugees will be drawn from predominantly Muslim camps and all the refugees would be rigorously screened by the British government and the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the bishops’ conference referred to the pope who called on our generosity and solidarity to recognize and act upon our common humanity. “Now we are all able to take up that call with the launch of the community sponsorship scheme for Syrian refugees.” The first families of refugees to be resettled by the church will arrive at St. Monica’s Parish in Flixton, outside of Manchester, in late summer. It is hoped that through this pilot scheme other parishes and groups can be encouraged and inspired so that the terrible suffering of many Syrian families can be alleviated.
They will also be assisted in adapting to British life and culture by their sponsors, which include local community groups, businesses and universities as well as faith groups.
Please read the entire article here: Church Joins UK Project
Do you have a comment? Please add it here: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
WILL YOU STAND WITH REFUGEES?
The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has developed a petition online to ask people to support refugees. Add your name to the #WithRefugees petition to send a clear message to governments that they must act with solidarity and shared responsibility. The #WithRefugees petition will be delivered to UN headquarters in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants, on September 19.
The petition asks the governments to: ensure the education of every refugee child, ensure safe housing for fall refugee families, ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.
Please sign the petition now at this link: #WithRefugees petition
CANADA DAY JULY 1, 2016 – ST. JOSEPH PATRON ST. OF CANADA
In 1624, the Franciscan Recollect friar Fr. Joseph Le Caron held a great feast and made a vow to name St. Joseph as the Patron Saint of Canada. St. Joseph’s feast is March 19, but Canada Day on July 1st is also a day to remember our Patron Saint. St. Joseph has always been remembered and revered as a ‘father” who cared deeply for Jesus, the Holy Family and therefore for us. Canada has welcomed refugees and migrants in great numbers in recent years. Let us give thanks to St. Joseph for being our inspiration, and hope we can imitate him in care for all people.
Let us ask St. Joseph to be our guide and protector through all the trials and tribulations of life, especially to protect refugees and all migrants in their struggles.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
World Day of Migrants to reflect on vulnerable, voiceless minors
Catholic News Service, June 22, 2016 has reported that the theme for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees for January 15, 2017 will focus on vulnerable and voiceless minors. The statement also noted that the refugee issue is a global one and not limited to any one area. The fact is that children are the most at risk and are unable to make their voices heard. What follows are grave human rights abuses. The truth is that all refugees and all people should enjoy full recognition of their rights.
You can read the press release here: World Day of Migrants 2017
Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Committee (CRSC) Presents at the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration
Rabea Allos, an executive member of the CRSC spoke at the May 30 committee meeting in Ottawa. The Chair of the committee is Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj. Those providing presentations at the meeting included the Honourable Mr. Peter Kent, as an individual and Mr. Rabea Allos from the CRSC. Members of the Committee included: Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre, Liberal), Mr. Arif Virani (Parkdale—High Park, Liberal), Hon. Michelle Rempel (Calgary Nose Hill, Conservative Party of Canada), Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP), Mr. Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale, Liberal), Mr. Bob Saroya (Markham—Unionville, Conservative Party of Canada), Mr. Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre, Liberal), Mr. Brad Trost (Saskatoon—University, Conservative Party of Canada). The witnesses included: Mrs. Judy Villeneuve (Councillor, Surrey City Council, City of Surrey), Ms. Chantal Desloges (Lawyer, Desloges Law Group, As an Individual), Mr. Marwan Tabbara (Kitchener South—Hespeler, Liberal), Mr. Shaun Chen (Scarborough North, Liberal), Ms. Aileen Murphy (Senior Social Planner, City of Surrey.
In his presentation Rabea highlighted several key points. First he gave a broad overview of the CRSC, its goals objectives and vision. Then he made the following points:
- Refugee Protection, Repatriation & Resettlement
He highlighted the distinction between “protection need” and “resettlement need”. The first goal for the international community is protection of refugees locally until a durable solution is available. Resettlement of refugees is the most important part of solving refugee crisis, this resettlement should ensure that the refugee is integrated into the society and gains financial independence as early as possible. The CRSC recommends that the program name is changed from Private Sponsorship Program to Civic Resettlement Program. - Government Assisted Refugees (GAR) and the Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR).
The GARs are usually selected by the UNHCR. The CRSC encourages the government to look into other options for referral agencies, such as sponsoring Canadian missions to troubled countries for the selection of refugees among the most vulnerable. The PSR program has several advantages over the GAR program. These include: extended family unification, mission trips to select the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, more economical and less of a financial burden on Tax Payers, refugees are integrated and embraced by the society and hence less likely to be a financial burden or radicalized, and bridges can be built to fight against racism, prejudice and xenophobia.
Please read the entire presentation here: Rabea Allos’ Presentation
You can also read the unedited version of the entire committee meeting: Standing Committee Meeting May 30, 2016
Your comments are welcome: Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council
Refugee family finally arrives in Montreal: St. Ignatius Parish
On April 26, 2016 the The four-member Beirouty family arrived at Trudeau International Airport via Istanbul. Until three years ago, the Beirouty family had lived in Aleppo, but when a bomb exploded outside their apartment building, they were forced to leave, seeking refuge in a nearby town. There are four members of the family, husband and wife and 2 adolescent children. St. Ignatius, the English language parish in the Diocese of Montreal had to scramble to make all the preparations for the family when they arrived. Since February the parish had been waiting for notice of the family’s arrival. St. Ignatius decided last September to sponsor a refugee family after Archbishop Christian Lépine issued an appeal to all parishes.
Other parishes are also are involved in sponsoring refugees. To date, 23 Montreal parishes are involved in welcoming refugees.
Please read the full article from the Montreal Diocese website: Refugee family finally arrives
You can also find it here: Beirouty Family
Your comments and feedback are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Dominican Nuns Keep Hope Alive in Northern Iraq
On April 20, 2016, the Crux magazine published an article by Paul Jeffrey. He describes the mission of the Dominican nuns in Iraq.
When the Islamic State group rolled across Iraq’s Ninevah Plain in 2014, tens of thousands of Christians fled for their lives to Kurdish controlled areas of the country. They still wait in limbo, in crowded camps, facing an undefined future. The only certainty they enjoy is knowing whatever happens to them, a group of Dominican nuns will be there.
This Dominican congregation was founded in the late 19th century in Mosul. After the USA invasion of 2003, many of their facilities became refuges for the many displaced people affected by the conflict. In 2014 they were driven out of Mosul and went to Irbil. Tens of thousands of people ended up in Irbil, and so the Church stepped in to help. The people had nothing, but soon the nuns found diapers and milk which became blankets and food.
According to Michael Constantin from the Catholic Near Eastern Welfare Association (CNEWA), the Dominicans were of tremendous help. The sisters lived in very poor conditions and several of them died in the first few months in Irbil.
The sisters expanded their work by adding mobile services to outlying areas. They also began schools for the children in Arabic and Aramaic. The sisters visited the people in groups of 2 in order to just listen to the people and offer support. The sisters found great strength in their congregational discipline. The anger and resentment at the invasion of the USA is still in the minds of the people and the sisters are there to offer prayers and support.
Please read the entire article from the website: Crux, Dominican Nuns
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Hindu – Catholic Dialogue of Canada encourages hospitality and open hearts in receiving refugees in Canada
Following its last meeting in Toronto on February 6, 2016, the Hindu – Catholic Dialogue of Canada released a joint statement to reaffirm the importance of hospitality in receiving the stranger and welcoming refugee. The statement references quotations such as the following, “Be one for whom the guest is God.” Taittiriya Upanishad, as well as the gospel, “Just as you have done to the least of these, you have done to me.” The Gospel of Matthew.
The Hindu-Catholic Dialogue has been meeting regularly since 2011. The statement declares that it is no longer sufficient simply to tolerate one another, but to share in a deep, mutual understanding of one another’s traditions, devotions and spiritual insights.
The statement concludes with a challenge. We urge all Canadians to respond with openness, care and generosity to those refugees who find their ways to our shores, and indeed to all strangers in our midst.
Please visit the CCCB website for this important announcement. Hindu-Catholic Dialogue
You can also read the full statement: Hindu-Catholic Dialogue of Canada
Your comments are welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
CCCB – Government of Canada closes its Office of Religious Freedom
On March 24, 2016 the CCCB published a document expressing “deep regret” that the Canadian Government was closing the “Office for Religious Freedom”. The statement goes on to declare the purpose of the office as an important signal to the international community and to Canadians of the singular importance of religious freedom, and of the unfortunate lack of voices in society prepared to come to its defense. The document also quotes Pope Francis when he stated clearly, “religious freedom is a fundamental human right which includes on the individual and collective levels the freedom to follow one’s conscience in religious matters and, at the same time, freedom of worship.” The statement goes on to recognize that the Ambassador for the office moreover recognized the perilous situation of the Christian minority in the Middle East which has been present in the region for two millennia.
Finally, the CCCB asks the Canadian Government to reconsider its decision and to provide a plan as to how it will defend the religious rights and freedoms which are human rights.
The entire statement is here: Canada closes its Office of Religious Freedom
You can also read it at the CCCB site: Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Your comments are welcome: Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council
MINISTRY IN ALEPPO – KEEPING HOPE ALIVE
On February 28, 2016 Gaby Maniscalco, Catholic News Service had an article published in the Catholic Register about the Jesuit Refugee Service and the work of Fr. Sami Hallak in his crisis journal during his time in Aleppo, narrating daily life as he and hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents cope with the reality of a war that began in March 2011.
In one entry he speaks of a large water tank where the reserves are used with care. Unless it is designated for drinking, he said, the water is reused two or three times. If one takes a bath, he puts hot water in a bucket, and the bathing water is carefully collected in a vessel. The water is then used in the toilets, to wash clothes or to clean the floor.
Another priest in the area, Salesian Father Luciano Buratti, says, “Our community has chosen to continue our activities as if nothing has happened. We try to offer families a place where they can breathe stability and harmony even in the midst of chaos.”
Despite the volatile environment, people continue to look for signs of hope.
Please read the entire article Ministry in Aleppo
Your comments are welcome: CRSC
“ECUMENISM OF BLOOD” – CARDINAL THOMAS COLLINS
On January 24, 2016 Cardinal Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated an Ecumenical Service at the Good Shepherd Chaldean Church in Toronto. In his homily, the Cardinal stressed the importance of prayer is the foundation for ecumenical activity. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of God”. He spoke of the many practical ways we as Christians can come together, but they are insufficient. He mentions that history teaches us that “Christian unity have also been forged in the fire of persecution, and in the common experience of the dark power of evil.”
He refers also to the Sermon on the Mount which proclaims “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In a reference to Pope Francis, the Cardinal uses the phrase “Ecumenism of blood”. He lists the tragedies and deaths of so many Christians not only in the Middle East but elsewhere as well.
In terms of what to do, he mentions several ideas. These include; prayer, live for Christ, be inspired by those who have suffered and died, keep the memory of those who have suffered alive forever, help the agencies and services working in these regions.
He concludes and prays that “All may be one”.
Please read the entire text of the homily here.
You can also see the video of Cardinal Collins’s homily. Just click here.
You can always provide a comment by clicking here.
DO NOT BE ROBBED of HOPE, JOY of LIVING: POPE TELLS REFUGEES
On January 19, 2016 the Catholic Register published an article by Junno Arocho Esteves reporting what the Pope said to refugees for their own Year of Mercy celebration. “Each of you is the bearer of a history, culture and precious values and, unfortunately, also often of experiences of poverty, oppression and fear,” the Pope said. An estimated 7,000 migrants from 30 countries were present. The group passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers. He said that the presence of migrants is a visible sign of the universality of the church and the integration of newcomers.
Please read the entire article by clicking on the link.
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES JANUARY 17, 2016
Migrants and Refugees Challenge Us. The Response of the Gospel of Mercy
In response to an invitation from the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council has prepared homily suggestions and prayers of the faithful to help dioceses, eparchies and parishes celebrate the 102nd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, January 17, 2016.
The theme of Pope Francis’ 2016 Message is “Migrants and refugees challenge us: The response of the Gospel of mercy“. In his Message, the Holy Father reminds us that “migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Don’t we all want a better, more decent and prosperous life to share with our loved ones?”
You can find these homily and prayer resources by clicking on the link.
Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace
The birth of Christ brought joy, light and peace to people of all nations. It is this joy and peace that we pray for, work for and long for. Pope Francis has declared this year as a Jubilee Year of Mercy. He asks us to focus our efforts on the corporal works of mercy. These include, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving shelter to the homeless. This is the ministry of the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC), and indeed each one of us is invited to take action on one or several of the corporal works of mercy.
All of us here at the CRSC pray for true joy, light and peace to fill your hearts and souls during this Christmas season and throughout the year.
Thornhill parish – beacon of hope for Mideast refugees
An article published in the Catholic Register dated November 26, 2015 the author Jean Ko Din describes the work of the very active refugee sponsorship committee at Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church in Thornhill, Ont., north of Toronto. Rami Kaai is one of the leaders and is the financial secretary of the local Knights of Columbus Council. Its Knights of Columbus council is founder of two organizations, FoodforSyria.org and IAmIraqiIAmChristian.org. Both projects work with churches and refugee communities to provide supplies and financial support to displaced Christians.
Jesus the King parish is the only parish in Canada to hold Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) status. Jesus the King acquired its SAH status, with the help of the Office of Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT), in December 2014. Since then it has helped sponsor and resettle 38 refugee families from Syria, Iraq and many surrounding areas. Pastor Fr. Ibrahim El-Haddad said acquiring SAH status was very important to the parish because the migrant crisis has always been a great concern for the people in the community.
Despite the committee’s limited resources, Kaai said the parish is welcoming new refugee families every two to three months. Meeting the families at Pearson International Airport makes all the work worthwhile. “They are crying and they pray,” said Kaai. “They say, ‘Thank you Jesus the King. Thank you Canada, we are now safe.’ But some they are still shaking at night.”
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Comments are most welcome at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me”
Pastoral Letter on Welcoming Refugees
The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) published their Pastoral Letter on October 26, 2015. In their four section letter they begin by explaining in the first section (Why We Are Writing) the rationale for the letter. They are direct in saying, “We believe that discussion is not enough; this is a time for urgent action”. The CCCB is indicating that the traditional definition of a “refugee” is no longer adequate. They declare, “We can now add a new category of climate or environmental refugees”.
In the second section entitled “Biblical Teaching” the Bishops remind us that Jesus himself was a refugee, “Even the child Jesus himself was a refugee when his family fled the persecution of King Herod (Matthew 2.13-14)”. The key phrase is from the Gospel of St. Mathew – “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25.35).
The next section, “Welcoming and Protecting Refugees” reminds us clearly that what we as Church can do is not only limited to simply assisting and supporting the refugee as they progress through the process of selection, but must look to full inclusion that clearly respects differences. This section goes on to note the many issues in need of clarification. These include: accelerating procedures, emphasis on family reunification, asylum, appeal procedures and others.
The final section (The Church: Speaking and Acting on Behalf of Refugees) the challenge is clear, “Our faith calls us to let ourselves be moved – even disturbed – by our sisters and brothers who are refugees”. The Bishops note and congratulate the many parishes and other groups who have sponsored refugees over the years. In terms of the Government, the Bishops say, “It is imperative that this Catholic voice be heard by the Canadian government”. There are several practical ideas that are meant for all of us to undertake. These include: call on the federal government, praying for refugees in camps around the world, support Development and Peace and CNEWA, create local diocesan services, mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees, provide formation for pastors and pastoral workers and establish a pastoral ministry for migrants.
You can read the entire letter here.
Any question or feedback? Send us a message at: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com
Greece’s Caritas aids refugees with food, clothing, human warmth
Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service had an article published in the Catholic Register on October 20, 2015. She mentions Caritas Internationalis, which shares the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world. In the article she describes the arduous journey of thousands of people fleeing Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan passing through the makeshift transit centre daily at Idomeni, a Greek village — population 120 — on the border with Macedonia. Caritas has been helping people all the way from Turkey to Germany. “Uncertainty is the name of the game,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, president of Caritas Internationalis. “Caritas is Caritas because of those simple people who give of themselves,” the cardinal said.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Bishops of Canada urge national political leaders and Catholics throughout the country to take action on refugee sponsorship
On October 1, 2015 in a letter to the country’s national political leaders, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, asks them to collaborate in better assisting refugees. He calls on the Government of Canada to expand, accelerate, and facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees during this time of urgent need. In addition to calling on the Government of the Canada, the resolution by the Bishops of Canada is also addressed to dioceses, parishes and religious communities throughout the country, urging them to welcome refugee families. The CCCB speaks directly to the Government of Canada, no matter which party forms the government – “We particularly urge you to find more effective ways of reuniting refugee families, and to recognize the special urgency of the needs of children, single-parent families, and those minorities and individuals facing persecution.”
A summary of the letter is contained on the CCCB website – here
The full text of the letter can be found here
You can read more about the letter on our blog page here
BISHOPS OF CANADA ENDORSE AND SUPPORT
JOINT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
BY DEVELOPMENT & PEACE, CNEWA CANADA AND ACN CANADA
On September 17, 2015 the CCCB published a statement endorsing and supporting a joint Canadian fundraising campaign by Development and Peace (CCODP), Canadian Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada and Aid to the Church in Canada (ACN) Canada. The campaign invites Canadians to organize their own parish collections from now until Sunday, November 15, 2015, inclusive. Each diocese is free to decide how it will distribute the funds among the three national agencies. The three Canadian Catholic aid and development agencies will collaborate in their fundraising for Syrian refugees, so as to respond as effectively as possible to the complex and overwhelming Syrian emergency.
RESPONDING AS CATHOLICS TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS
On September 8, 2015 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) responded to the refugee crisis with an open letter from Archbishop Paul-André Durocher President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. He reminded us of the haunting images we have all seen in the press and the constant message of Pope Francis “to take action to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway.”
The Archbishop provides some suggestions for action which we can undertake. These include:
- Sponsoring a refugee family – he provides contact information for the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC), the Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) and the Office des communautés culturelles et rituelles in Montreal.
- Donate funds – he provides some contacts to which one can send funds, such as The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), Aid to the Church in Need, Canada, CNEW Canada, and Canadian Jesuits International.
- Get involved politically – he refers to the various election guides by the CCODP, CCCB and others
- Be informed – he refers the reader to Caritas International, and the United Nations Refugee Agency
- Combat prejudices and fears – Major obstacles facing refugees as they seek protection and shelter involve apathy, indifference, apprehensions and prejudices in those countries where they seek refuge. When our hearts are fearful, our doors remain closed to others in need. One way to address this negative attitude is is through inter-religious dialogue.
- Stay focused – There are some 13 million refugees now throughout the world, of whom four million are from Syria. The problems they face are immense. We can receive electronic news about the upcoming CCCB resource on refugees, and he provides the link to subscribe.
- Meditate on Scripture and pray – Check with your diocese and parish on plans for special days of reflection, prayer, fasting and community action for the displaced people of our world.
This letter contains many excellent resources and lots of food for thought. Share it with your networks.
You can read the full text of the message by clicking here.
Archdiocese of Toronto Launches “Project Hope”
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto announced the launching of the “Project Hope” in a press release dated September 8, 2015. He says that this is a special emergency appeal to respond to the tragic situation of this global humanitarian crisis. The project is “100, 3, 100 and 100” – 100 hundred days to raise 3 million dollars to settle 100 refugee families with 100 hundred volunteers. The archdiocese will prioritize refugees fleeing war and violence in areas of greatest need, including Syria and Iraq, regardless of religious affiliation.
The archdiocese established the Office for Refugees (ORAT) in 2009 to advocate and facilitate the welcome of refugees to the region. To date, ORAT has initiated the resettlement of 2,519 refugees, sponsored by 160 Catholic churches. Project Hope is above and beyond ORAT’s current efforts.
The Cardinal outlined the various ways that people can participate in the campaign – through the Archdiocesan website, calling the Development Office, or through their local parish.
You can read the full press release here.
Pope Francis calls on every parish across Europe to house refugee families
On Sunday September 6, at his weekly Angelus prayer Pope Francis asked each Catholic Parish and community to house at least one of the tens of thousands of refugee families risking death to migrate to the continent from the Middle East.
The Pope said, “With the nearing of the Jubilee of Mercy, I address an appeal to the parishes, to the religious communities, to the monasteries and shrines of all of Europe to express the concreteness of the Gospel and welcome a family of refugees, as a concrete gesture in preparation of the Holy Year of Mercy.” The pontiff specified the scope of his request: “Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every shrine of Europe house a family, starting from my diocese of Rome.”
You can see and hear the Pope speaking at his weekly audience, with English subtitles, by clicking here.
The text in Italian, under the heading “Appello”, can be found here.
Pope Francis releases theme for World Day of Migrants and Refugees
On August 20, 2015, Pope Francis announced the theme for the 2016 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Sunday January 17, 2016. The theme is:
Migrants and Refugees Challenge us. The response of the Gospel of Mercy.
The date for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees is Sunday January 17, 2016. The first part of the theme follows the ongoing crisis along the Mediterranean. The second part, which reads, ‘The Response of the Gospel of Mercy‘ because the next World Day of Migrants will take place precisely during the Year of Mercy, which starts on December 8th 2015.
You can find a short summary of the announcement by clicking here.
A short video accompanying the message can be found here.
Knights of Columbus in the USA create Christian Refugee Relief Fund
The National Catholic Reporter newspaper from the United States reports that at the Knights of Columbus’ 133rd annual convention held Aug. 4-6 in Philadelphia, Pa., Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced the creation of the Christian Refugee Relief Fund to aid persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria. Anderson said, “We will begin a new education campaign to expose the crimes against humanity that are being committed. It is time for a season of truth about what is happening to Christians and other minorities. It is a time for action.”
Andrew Walther, the vice president for communications and strategic planning for the Knights of Columbus said, “Our program of humanitarian aid is directly responding to Pope Francis’ request for assistance to persecuted Christians in the region, and his reference to this situation as genocide.”
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Edmonton parish mobilizes to offer refuge to refugees
In the June 15 edition of the “Western Catholic Reporter” Thandiwe Konguavi wrote an article describing how several parishes mobilized to sponsor refugees to come to Calgary. Paulette Johnson is the refugee sponsorship coordinator for Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Calgary and she helped to coordinate the efforts. Parishes were involved as well as schools, St. Vincent De Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus.
The archdiocese submitted 20 applications for Syrian and Iraqi refugee sponsorship in 2014. That means 55 people in 20 families from the two countries will find homes in the archdiocese. In 2015, so far CSS has submitted 28 cases for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, involving another 63 people. Altogether, 14 parishes have been involved in rescuing persecuted people from Syria and Iraq.
You can read the full article by clicking here.
Rethinking Refugee Camps: New solutions for human crises
The CBC radio program “The Current” hosted by Anna Maria Tremonte broadcast a program on Tuesday May 19, 2015. The program dealt with the fact that the United Nations Refugee Agency is re-thinking its approach to refugee camps. Two main guests were interviewed. They are: Catherine-Lune Grayson who has worked in refugee camps in East Africa and Yemen. She’s a PhD candidate at the Université de Montréal, and Michael Kagan who teaches law at the University of Nevada. He spent 10 years developing legal aid for refugees in the Middle East.
The program explains that there are more than 16 million refugees in the world today. Fewer than 10 percent of refugees in the world are resettled into a third country each year. Of those who are, Canada takes in about 1 in 10. In addition, 86% of the world’s refugees are hosted by developing countries. The main host countries to refugees are Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The Dadaab camp in eastern Kenya has about 350,000 people. It is now a 3rd generation camp, the world’s largest.
The United Nations (UNHCR) is discussing the possibility of creating alternatives to the traditional refugee camp. However, there are obstacles. For example, as Michael says there is a great need for emergency food and shelter, and then education for the children. The camp provides a controlled “open air prison” for people. Catherine states that the emergency situation makes the camps necessary, but for the long term, there is no need for them.
Stephen Corless from the UNHCR says that they are pursuing alternatives where possible. However, some governments have policy to set up camp only for the for safety of people. He believes refugees are better off living in community, but what about the long term? These are the questions to be explored. Michael calls for a multilayer approach.
You can listen to the entire program by clicking here.
Fr. Nawras Samnour – Jesuit Refugee Service – Syria
On February 17, 2015 Steve Paiken from “The Agenda” – a program broadcast from TVO in Ontario, held an interview with Fr. Samnour a Jesuit priest from Syria. He works with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Syria. He spoke about the situation of the people in Syria and how this service is trying to be of help. He speaks about his own history as a Syrian watching his country crash down in ruins and the many people killed and displaced. He mentioned that at one time refugees from other countries came to Syria for refuge but now the Syrians themselves are forced to leave. The Jesuit Refugee Service offers a variety of services. One is general assistance of food, clothing, household items etc. The next is medical aid. The reality is that many specialists like doctors and other medical personnel have left Syria so the need is great to offer this aid. The third is service to children in terms of psycho social and educational programs. In terms of ISIS he says very clearly they are “barbarians” and he cannot believe that people in the world can act in that way. For Fr. Samnour, the solution is not to have a big winner. In that way we have many losers. The solution is for all people to win. The future is bleak, he says, and it may mean that the whole process of peace must be “re-done”.
Please visit the Jesuit Refugee Service here.
You can watch the entire interview by clicking here.
St. Joseph’s Sisters Spearhead Call to Protect Migrants
January 25, 2015
In an article written by Michael Swan of the Catholic Register on January 25, 2015, he reports that the St. Joseph’s Sisters have taken a step toward protecting migrants. “We are calling for the globalization of solidarity through governmental policies that create comprehensive protection of the rights of all migrants,” says a paper submitted to the United Nations Commission for Social Development. The major author of the report is Sr. Sue Wilson, director of the CSJ Office for Systemic Justice in London, Ont. “In terms of the (United Nations’) convention to protect the rights of refugees, most people would see that as including the right to basic goods and services such as health care,” Wilson said. “The latest policy from the federal government has been trying to really help provinces to pull away from providing health care if they wish to do so. I’m not saying that Canada is minimalist, or that all of our policies are, but there are minimalist interpretations within that.”
The priority theme of the document is, “Rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world.” You can read the full document by clicking here.
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
JANUARY 18, 2015
“CHURCH WITHOUT FRONTIERS, MOTHER TO ALL”
Archdioceses and Dioceses across Canada are celebrating this important day. Here is a small sample of some events in Canada to mark this day.
CALGARY
Refugee Day Mass – Monday January 19 @ 7:00pm. Organized by Couples for Christ, the Diocese and the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. Mass to be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary.
HAMILTON
Multicultural Mass – Sunday January 18 @ 1:00pm. Mass to be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton.
TORONTO
Mass to celebrate World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Sunday January 18 @ 11:00am. Mass to be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 202 St. Patrick St. Organized by the Toronto Chinese Catholic Task Force.
VANCOUVER
World Day of Migrants & Refugees Mass – Sunday January 18 @ 2:30pm. Mass to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 555 S. Slocan St. Vancouver.
CHRISTMAS 2014
“Rise and take the child”
“Behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said “Rise and take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt”. –Matthew 2:13
And so we are the followers of Jesus who was once himself a refugee.
At this time of year we recall the 2nd Annual Catholic Conference on Resettlement held in December 2012. One of the speakers from the Middle East said that while here in the West Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, in much of the Middle East it is a time of church bombings.
We hope that for Christmas and the New Year we can continue to carry the message of that Conference which was the genesis of the CRSC and do our part with your prayers and help. The problem of Refugees seems almost insurmountable and worsening daily.
But we were born to Faith, Hope and Charity as children in the Light of Christ and it is this that propels us forward to do what we can to lessen the plight of those driven from their homes by persecution and violence.
Our Best Wishes to every one for a Holy and Safe Christmas from all of us at CRSC.
Highlights
“Let’s Take Action: Let’s Help Immigrants”
Violence in Ottawa and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
+ Paul-André Durocher Archbishop of Gatineau, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on Friday October 24, 2014 calling this is a time of profound national sadness for all Canadians in the wake of the attacks in Ottawa and Quebec. He says, “We worry that the horror of terrorism is taking root in our soil”. He calls on all of us to work for peace and justice for human beings everywhere.
Please read the full statement
Why has Canada only taken 200 Syrian Refugees?
Why has Canada only taken in 200 Syrian refugees?
Toronto Star Sunday September 21, 2014
Dr. Martin Mark states, Why has Canada only taken in 200 Syrian refugees? In the three and a half years war has raged in Syria, displacing 10 million people, Canada has struggled to resettle fewer than 200 Syrian refugees overseas and is still processing asylum applications from another 1,300 who made their way to Canada on their own. In 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada created a new Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg to rapidly vet private sponsorship applications. The goal was to complete the initial application review in 30 days. At current staffing and productivity levels, it is estimated that it will take (the office) over two years to clear the existing inventory of cases, in addition to almost two and a half years to process projected 2014 application submissions.
“This year, the shift was moving from a sort of balanced global approach towards Syria,” Immigration Minister Chris Alexander told the Star. “And as the Syrian crisis and the UN appeals have come forward, we’ve tried to shift our planning in response.”
“There is no political will to be either fast or flexible,” says Naomi Alboim, chair of Queen’s University’s Policy Forum and a former deputy-minister of citizenship in Ontario.
Please read the full article located here.
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Fear becomes sin when it leads to hostility toward migrants (Pope Francis)
The Catholic Register has published an article in their January 2018 edition which summarizes a homily celebrating Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on January 14. “”The sin is to refuse to encounter the other, the different, the neighbour, when this is in fact a privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord,” said the Pope.
Pope Francis announced that “for pastoral reasons” the date of the annual celebration was being moved to the second Sunday of September. The next World Day of Migrants and Refugees, he said, would be marked Sept. 8, 2019.
“His invitation ‘Come and see!’ is addressed today to all of us, to local communities and to new arrivals,” the Pope said. “It is an invitation to overcome our fears so as to encounter the other, to welcome, to know and to acknowledge him or her.”
People in host countries may be afraid that newcomers “will disturb the established order (or) will ‘steal’ something they have long labored to build up,” he said. And the newcomers have their own fears “of confrontation, judgment, discrimination, failure.”
You may read the entire article at the Catholic Register site: Fear Becomes Sin
You can also read an article on this at the Crux site: Fear of Immigrants
PEACE BE WITH YOU – CHRISTMAS 2017
This is the greeting we hear so often at Mass and many other liturgical celebrations.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; John 14, 27.
Pope Francis, in his message this Christmas 2017 prayed of peace: peace to those suffering in wars and conflict, those suffering especially children. He prayed for real peace.
CRSC echoes this sentiment. May God who became a child inspire all of us to work for peace, unity and accord.
We wish you and all your loved ones that the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” Philippians 4:6-7.
CARDINAL PLEADS FOR AID TO PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
On September 11, 2017 the Catholic Register published an article written by Michael Swan that dealt with the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
The occasion was an ecumenical prayer service for peace in the Middle East. Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, appealed directly to the Canadian government to pay special attention to Christian refugees as it distributes aid in the region and accepts refugees for resettlement.
In attendance at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Sept. 10th, were both clergy and lay people representing about a dozen Christian churches — Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.
The Cardinal spoke frankly and said, “Justice and human decency requires … that all of us, and especially our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here — and obviously, especially, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.”
In his remarks, Collins spoke of remembering the victims of violence, terror and persecution around the world, and especially our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt and throughout the Middle East.
What are we to do? the Cardinal asks. He offers several suggestions. These include:
- That every human effort be made by governments and all of us to do whatever can be done on a human level to protect those who are being persecuted. Support the Catholic Near Eastern Welfare Association (CNEWA).
- Our Canadian government, by word and deed, offer practical assistance to those who are persecuted and who seek refuge here, to those who are the most persecuted and the most vulnerable.
- Do what we can to raise awareness in our secular society,
In his conclusion the Cardinal reminds us of the prayer at Mass – “we pray, that to your faithful who suffer for your name’s sake a spirit of patience and charity, they may be found true and faithful witnesses to the promises you have made.”
Please read the entire article at the Catholic Register website: Cardinal Collins Pleads for Aid
Your comments are welcome. Please send us an email and react to this posting: Augustiniancentre@rogers.com
Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota
The Catholic Register published an article on May 4, 2017 by Michael Swan reporting that the Office for Refugees for the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) has been forced to suspend all new applications to sponsor refugees for the rest of this year due to persistent backlogs in government processing.
Director Dr. Martin Mark is quoted as saying, “People are very frustrated, we are very disappointed. This is not a good situation.”
This situation has affected all of Canada. For example, the refugee office in the Diocese of London received a 2017 quota of 157, but has 401 applications in process. London will have to decide which 244 applications can wait until 2018.
The Mennonite Central Committee of Canada national migration and resettlement program co-ordinator Brian Dyck said, “These limits have certainly built up a shadow backlog of cases that are not on any government database but are in our minds and hearts. It is difficult to know how to unburden our hearts of this backlog.”
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen plans to bring the applications and landings back into balance and cut the time between an application submitted and a refugee arriving down below 12 months in 2019.
You can read the entire article from the Catholic Register here: Sponsors Put On Hold
The article is also to be found here: Refugee sponsors put on hold by quota May 2017
You can read what others are saying about this issues here: Backlog, Wait Times
EASTER MESSAGE – PRIOR GENERAL
BLESSED EASTER TO ALL THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AUGUSTINIANS AND MEMBERS THE FRATERNITIES OF THE ORDER
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I do not want to let pass this Easter Triduum without expressing to you my thoughts and feelings and a brief reflection. At the same time, I would like to know your thoughts about our crucified and risen Lord and perhaps at some time we will be able to do so.
We have just celebrated the passion of the Lord and I can say that it filled me with a serene joy, perhaps a sign of a profound freedom and a greater sense of harmony with all people and with the Lord.
I would like to make my own the words spoken by a theologian: “In what comes, death has ceased to be for me a problem, but it continues to be a mystery. I am not able to penetrate into the mystery, but in the midst of darkness, it illumines my being.”
Good Friday is a special day to experience the pain of the world, the pain of history and the “pain of God”, if we are able to speak in this way.
We remember our Augustinians who suffer violence in some of our circumscriptions, the floods suffered by so many people who have been left without homes in various places in Latin America where we are present.
We remember the children who have been the victims in various wars, or who have died because of lack of food, or because they have been abandoned by their parents.
We remember the faces of so many immigrants who have been abandoned.
We also remember our sisters and brothers who suffer in our own communities.
All of these images weigh on my heart as before the cross we seek God’s blessing and mercy for all.
We are all called to combat against this suffering. The question is how. It happens through humility and communion with all of our brothers and sisters and with all those who, each in their own way, rise up and rebel against suffering and who struggle for all those of the world who are pushed aside.
Humility, “have in yourself the same sentiments of Christ”, to set aside our pride and sinfulness, the basis for all evil, and to open ourselves to the mercy of God, to life, which is born out of the encounter of a sincere and humble heart with the Love of Christ, once dead but now risen to life. Humility always opens our very being to an encounter with God.
Communion with our brothers and sisters, that is, the unity of charity. This is the gift that the Christ, once dead but now risen, has left us in order to find joy in the Augustinian experience. We can never forget that fraternal love is the privileged place for the authentic experience of God. Only in this way can our communities, living the experience of fraternity, make sense.
It is from this experience of encounter with the other that we proclaim the meaning of Easter against pain and suffering, and we are changed so that those who see and encounter us in the place of peace and of love, which God has given to us in Jesus, the risen one.
The value of community, as the place of fraternal love, is that place where, even more than bringing me Easter joy, gives life to my desire to work for the world and urges me to open myself toward others and to work against evil and suffering, imitating the prophet of the mercy of God, Jesus, so that his love rules here below.
Today, perhaps more intensely, I believe in the love of God, that love which one day was demonstrated to be stronger than death by the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the first fruits of our own resurrection. I believe in the risen One, Jesus, in whom the love of God breaks the bonds of sin and death.
A Blessed Easter to all!
Alejandro Moral Antón
Prior General
HE IS RISEN – ALLELUIA!
The Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice wishes you and yours all the blessings of Easter. The message of Pope Francis is relevant to all of us:
The Church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay” ( Mt 28:5-6).
We especially pray for the newcomers to Canada, who have been sponsored by Churches, faith groups and other community groups. Pope Francis invites us in a specific way to take on this mission:
Comfort those who have left their own lands to migrate to places offering hope for a better future and the possibility of living their lives in dignity and, not infrequently, of freely professing their faith.
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2017
The annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated on Sunday January 15, 2017 across Canada and the entire Catholic Church. Pope Francis had issued his statement entitled CHILD MIGRANTS THE VULNERABLE AND THE VOICELESS to commemorate this important day. Celebrations of Mass, receptions and speeches took place in many dioceses across Canada such as Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax.
In Toronto, Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick celebrated Mass at St. Luke’s Parish in Thornhill. In his message the Bishop encouraged all of us to act even in small ways to promote and build up the kingdom of God. He referred to the pope’s message of care for children who are dislocated from their homes and have to endure terrible suffering. He thanked the parish of St. Luke for their sponsorship of so many refugee families. He also thanked the Office for Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto for their great help to parishes and groups to sponsor refugees.
Following Mass the Iraqi community hosted a reception with great food and fellowship. 
Several speakers provided greater insight, welcome and thanks for this wonderful day. Rabea Allos, from the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) was the emcee. The speakers included Fr. Damien McPherson from the Archdiocese, Francesco Sorbara the MP from Vaughan, Itrath Qizilbash McGrath from the Organization for Islamic Learning, Dr. Martin Mark from the Office for Refugees in the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT), and Maurice Malone from the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council. Brian Dwyer from the Augustinian Centre for Social Justice was also in attendance.
Several families of refugees also spoke and told their story of coming to Canada and how their lives had dramatically changed for the better since arriving. The families were from Iraq, Ghana, Vietnam and Syria. The audience was very thankful to hear these great positive messages.
Please read Pope Francis’ full statement here: Child Migrants
“Child Migrants, the Vulnerable and the Voiceless” Pope Francis
January 15, 2017 is the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and pope Francis has proclaimed that the theme for this year is “Child Migrants, the vulnerable and the voiceless”. In his statement he reminds us that the sure path which leads to God begins with the smallest and, through the grace of our Saviour it grows into the practice of welcoming others. The Pope focuses our attention on the reality of child migrants, especially the ones who are alone. They are defenseless: they are children, they are foreigners, and they have no means to protect themselves.
The Pope asks “How can we respond?” First, he says we need to become aware that the phenomenon of migration is not unrelated to salvation history, but rather a part of that history. In addition, we need to work towards protection, integration and long-term solutions. Furthermore, the most powerful force driving the exploitation and abuse of children is demand.
Secondly, we need to work for the integration of children and youngsters who are migrants. They depend totally on the adult community.
Thirdly, to all the Pope addresses a heartfelt appeal that long-term solutions be sought and adopted.
Lastly, Pope Francis addresses a word to us, who walk alongside migrant children and young people: they need our precious help. The Church too needs us and supports us in the generous service we offer.
Please read the entire document here: “Child Migrants“
CHRISTMAS 2016
The story of Christ’s birth as described in St. Luke’s gospel Chapter 2 is filled with thoughts for our reflection at this most important time of the year. “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn”. The angels announce to the shepherds, “I bring you news of great joy to be shared by the whole people”. After the shepherds came to visit Jesus St. Luke says “They went back glorifying and praising God”. The shepherds are the first evangelists.
These three short passages inspire us – we all come to this earth vulnerable and yet very precious to God. The joy of this birth is to be shared, and we are called to be the new shepherds, the new evangelists. We respond to Gods love by praising and glorifying Him.
As Pope Francis has said, “Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation!”
In the words of St. Augustine, “He found no place in the inn, but makes for Himself a temple in the hearts of all believers.”
From all of us here at the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice, we hope and pray for God blessing and peace to you and your families at this time.
“Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will”.
REFUGEE WORKSHOP A GREAT SUCCESS
On Saturday November 26, 2016 at Marylake Shrine in King City Ontario a very enthusiastic and committed group of people sat down to discuss the refugee situation in Canada and the world. The workshop was organized by the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice and the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC).
The meeting was chaired by Brian Dwyer the Director of the Augustinian Centre for Social Justice and the chair of the CRSC. The special guest presenters included Fr. Emeka Obiezu, former representative of the Augustinians to the United Nations and Rev. Bob Dueweke, the present Augustinian rep to the United Nations.
Fr. Dueweke provided the group with an overview of the role and work of the Augustinians at the UN. He pointed to the constitution of the Augustinian Order declaring that there is a social commitment to “clearly identify and resolve issues such as: defense of life, human rights, the situation of migrants and the dignity of women; to protect justice and peace at the United Nations”.
Following this discussion, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was presented by Fr. Obiezu and Fr. Dueweke. The SDG’s were promulgated by the UN in September 2015. There are 17 goals with specific targets for each goal. Examples of some of these goals are: no poverty, quality education, clean water, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action, peace and justice and partnerships.
Please read more about the SDG’s here: SDG
In what way do the SDG goals refer to migrants and refugees? Here are some examples.
- Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- The target is: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
- Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
- The target is: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
- Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
- The Target is: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
- The Target is: By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent
- Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
- The Target is: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
- By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts
- By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts
What followed next was a discussion of the “United Nations Summit Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants” held in New York on September 19, 2016. Canada was represented by the Prime Minister, some Cabinet members and other officials. Many people from local NGO’s and civil society were also invited. The Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice was invited but was unable to attend. The summit included “round tables” attended by many members of civil society, governments and businesses.
The result of this summit is “The New York Declaration”. This document was distributed to the participants for discussion. Each country participating at the summit committed to following these declarations. A summary of the declaration is available here: New York Declaration
The declaration includes the following commitments: protection of human rights of migrants and refugees, education of children, protection against violence, recognizing the positive contributions of refugees and migrants, implementing a comprehensive refugee response program and many more.
The summit agreed that there be an international conference on the adoption of a global compact for safe migration in 2018. The CRSC and the Augustinian Centre will follow this process closely.
The next speaker was Rabea Allos from the CRSC. He spoke about the Canadian “Government Assisted Refugees” Program (GAR). He made the point that settlement of refugees in Canada is handled most efficiently and productively by private sponsors and not the GAR. The CRSC will be advocating to the Government to slowly decrease their GAR program and offer more support to private sponsorships.
At the conclusion of this informative and inspiring workshop, the participants were grateful for the new information and were motivated to help and support the Augustinian Centre and the CRSC. There will be follow-ups from the summit in New York, and from the Marylake Shrine Monastery.
UN High-Level Meeting on Large Movements of People
The Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC) has teamed up with the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice (CACSJ) to focus on the situation of refugees and migrants and the United Nations. On September 19, 2016 the UN hosted the High-Level Plenary Meeting to Address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the UN headquarters in New York. The CRSC followed this one day conference very closely along with the CACSJ. The Augustinians (Augustinians International) have been represented at the United Nations for several years. They began as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and now have Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) status.
You can read the entire report from the CRSC and the CACSJ here: UN Summit
The following are some highlights from the summit in New York.
Participants at this meeting came from most member states of the United Nations. There were opening remarks, round table discussions, and other side events during the day. Canada was represented by Stephane Dion Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. The United States was represented by John Kerry, Secretary of State and Barach Obama, President.
The New York Declaration
The discussion at the summit resulted in all members agreeing to the “New York Declaration”. Some of the main commitments include:
- Protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.
- Ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.
- Work towards ending the practice of detaining children for the purposes of determining their migration status.
- Implement a comprehensive refugee response, based on a new framework that sets out the responsibility of Member States, civil society partners and the UN system, whenever there is a large movement of refugees or a protracted refugee situation.
- Start negotiations leading to an international conference and the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018.
- Achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees by adopting a global compact on refugees in 2018.
You can read the entire New York Declaration here: New York Declaration
United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon opened the session. He spoke of migrants and refugees not to be seen as a burden but a great potential. He pledged that with cooperation no refugee or migrant will be left behind. He outlined some of the initiatives and agreements in the declaration.
There were six round tables which focused on various topics. Some of the presenters included the Holy See, Prime Minister Trudeau and others.
Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Jan Eliasson from Sweden offered some closing remarks to the high level meeting. He indicated that this issue is one of the most challenging of our time.
For further information please choose this link: UN Summit Report
New Rosary Path at Marylake Shrine
To commemorate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, 2016, a new Rosary path was opened at the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace and Marylake Monastery in Toronto. Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto was the celebrant for the Mass and blessing. Marylake Monastery is located in King City, just north of Toronto. Over a hundred people attended the Mass and blessing. This outdoor rosary covers over 15 acres of land on the grounds of Marylake. For many years Marylake has been a destination for pilgrimages from all over North America, and especially in this Holy Year of Mercy. The project was conceived two years ago and is now a reality.
It is hoped that Marylake will become the centre of Marian devotion in the Archdiocese. Ted Harasti is the Chair for the Rosary Path Project and he recalls the inspiration he felt to build the path. Cardinal Collins remarked that the Marylake property is at the geographical centre of the Archdiocese of Toronto and will become the spiritual centre as well.
The Rosary Path is a complete rosary with 59 beads beginning with a crucifix. Each bead is able to accommodate a person kneeling to pray.
You can see the story of the Rosary Path produced by Salt and Light TV. Choose this link: Rosary path
Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice 