Action on Refugee Rights:
Many Catholic parishes are Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs). For a full list of Catholic churches across the country involved in refugee sponsorship, visit the Government of Canada’s website here.
Public Statements:
“Welcoming the stranger, as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25.35, is not an option for Christians but a Gospel requirement. When we do this, “we open our doors to God,” as Pope Francis indicates in his 2016 Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The present Pastoral Letter echoes the call adopted by the Bishops of Canada at their Plenary Assembly, and issued to all parishes and religious communities in Canada, to give serious consideration to sponsoring a refugee family. Sponsorship Agreement Holders can be found in all provinces. More specific information on Catholic refugee sponsors in Canada are available on the website.
Catholics across the country are invited to pray, as the Pastoral Letter states, “that our hands and our hearts may unite with our voices in actions that will give a loving welcome to refugees in our country and in our Christian communities.”
The refugee crisis is an important moment to deepen our faith, extend our charity, and summon up hope. Together we can make a better world for all those in need, and so witness to Christ’s Kingdom. Whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters, we do to Christ Our Lord (see Matthew 23.40)”
Resources Available:
- Documents on Justice and Peace: http://www.cccb.ca/site/commissions-committees-and-aboriginal-council/national-commissions/justice-and-peace/documents?lang=eng
- Pope Francis launched “Share The Journey” Campaign on Sept, 27 2017, encouraging people around the world to share in the refugee and migrant experience. The campaign will run through late 2019.
“Pope Francis has made numerous appeals to promote the culture of encounter in an effort to combat the culture of indifference in the world today. It means seeing through the eyes of others rather than turning a blind eye. “Not just to see but to look. Not just to hear but to listen. Not just to meet and pass people by, but to stop. And don’t just say ‘what a shame, poor people,’ but allow ourselves to be moved by pity.” – Pope Francis”
- In celebration of the 51st World Day of Peace on January 1, 2018, Pope Francis released this message on migrants and refugees.