Migrants Are Messengers of Hope: Workshop Calls for Urgent Policy and Solidarity

New Delhi, September 15, 2025 – The North Region Commission for Migrants, in collaboration with the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the Delhi Lawyers Forum (DLF), hosted the North Regional Workshop cum Meeting at DCC Hall, New Delhi. The gathering drew 90 participants, including Secretaries of Migrant Commissions from Jammu, Delhi, and Chandigarh, along with clergy, religious, lay leaders, and migrant representatives, to reflect on the Jubilee 2025 theme: “Migrants – Pilgrims of Hope.”

Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, Regional Chairman, opened the workshop by describing migrants as “messengers of hope” whose courage and faith challenge the Church to defend human dignity. He highlighted the Archdiocese’s outreach to displaced people of Manipur in Delhi, Burmese Catholics, distressed migrants, and domestic workers, calling their presence “a blessing that keeps our Church alive and vibrant.”

In the keynote address, Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, recalled the establishment of the Commission for Migrants in 2017, which became fully functional in 2019 under Archbishop Victor Henry and Fr. Jaison Vadassery. He stressed that the Commission was a timely response to the Church’s mission, adding, “to serve migrants is to serve humanity.”

Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the Commission, reminded participants that Pope Leo XIV has called migrants “privileged witnesses of hope.” He urged the Church in India to respond with “concrete acts of welcome, accompaniment, and advocacy, so that migrants may feel they truly belong to the family of God.”

The day included three panel discussions featuring Sr. Inigo Joachim SSA, Fr. Bobby Emprayil VC, Fr. Prakash Louis SJ, Sr. Elsa Muttathu (Secretary CRI), Mr. Nirmal Gorana of the National Campaign Committee for the Eradication of Bonded Labour (NCCEBL), and members of the DLF. They addressed trafficking, bonded labour, migrants’ rights, and pastoral accompaniment, offering practical pathways for action.

Personal testimonies struck a chord. Mr. Augustin Pausuandal Buansi, representing Myanmar refugees, expressed their longing for permanent settlement, affirming that “India is mother to all refugees.” Ms. Grace from Manipur recounted the plight of displaced families still living under the shadow of violence, highlighting the need for long-term solutions.

The workshop concluded with a united call to action. Archbishop Couto urged the Commission and partner organisations to appeal to the Government of India for a comprehensive national migration policy. Such a policy, he said, must ensure job security and protect vulnerable citizens from exploitation and trafficking.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting:

• 1. Renewed commitment to raise awareness, document migrant realities, and strengthen collaboration among dioceses, congregations, and partner organisations.

• 2. Agreement to jointly advocate for a national migrant policy ensuring protection, job security, and safeguards against trafficking.

Participants closed the workshop pledging to walk with migrants and refugees in compassion and solidarity, so that all may truly live as pilgrims of hope.

By Sr. Rani Punnassril HCM

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