Church Called to Accompany Migrants, Says Deputy Secretary General

New Delhi, 16 March 2026: “Migrant ministry is part of the pastoral mission of the Church. The Church should accompany migrants spiritually, socially and legally,” said Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, CCBI while inaugurating the workshop “Journeying Together as People of India Walking with Migrants,” held on 16 March 2026 at the DCA Hall in New Delhi.

 

He noted that pastoral outreach to migrants includes welcoming them into parish communities, providing pastoral care in their own language and cultural context, defending their rights, helping families integrate into society and supporting migrants who face crisis and vulnerability.

 

The CCBI through its North Region Commission for Migrants, organised the two-day workshop from 16 to 17 March 2026. Adv. Sr. Rani Punnasseril HCM, Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants in the North Region, delivered the welcome address.

 

Fr. Adv. Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Migrants, presented the introductory remarks. He drew attention to the growing challenges faced by migrant communities and stressed the need for pastoral accompaniment and institutional support.

 

Messages were delivered by Fr. Jesudass R., Executive Director of Caritas India; Dr. Eduardo Gabriel CS, Professor at Christ University, Bangalore; and Dr. Julie Rose, Secretary of the Women Commission of the Delhi Archdiocese.

 

The keynote address was delivered by Adv. Kawalpreet Kaur of the Supreme Court of India. She spoke on the labour rights of migrant workers, discrimination faced by migrants, constitutional safeguards and labour codes related to migrant labour in India.

 

By Catholic Connect Reporter