CCBI Migrants Commission, Rome Institute Plan Joint Research and Training on Migration

ROME, October 15, 2026: The CCBI Commission for Migrants and the Scalabrini International Migration Institute (SIMI) in Rome have agreed to expand their collaboration through training programmes, student exchanges and joint research on migration and the Church’s pastoral response.

The agreement emerged from discussions on October 14 between Fr Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, and SIMI Director Prof. Dr Aldo Skoda and Secretary Prof. Dr Gioacchino Campese at the institute in Rome.

The two institutions plan to broaden their existing partnership, which includes an online programme in pastoral theology supported by annual scholarships from SIMI for selected Indian students.

Under the proposed expansion, students who excel in and successfully complete the online diploma programme will be encouraged to pursue advanced studies at SIMI in Rome. The partnership will also encompass capacity-building initiatives, student exchanges and collaborative research in India and other countries.

The discussions also focused on action research and training in pastoral theology, particularly concerning migration, the climate crisis and the Church’s pastoral responsibilities towards migrants and displaced people.

SIMI shared its plans to organise an Asian Migration Conclave at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei. The CCBI Commission for Migrants will join the initiative as a key Asian partner, contributing to discussions on the challenges faced by migrants and displaced communities.

The commission also proposed establishing a broader framework of cooperation to formalise and strengthen the partnership in the coming years.

Founded by the Missionaries of St Charles Borromeo, popularly known as the Scalabrinian Missionaries, SIMI specialises in migration studies and is accredited by the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.

By Catholic Connect Reporter