Claretians in Asia Make Migrant Ministry a Pastoral Priority

Shillong, August 3, 2026: The Claretians in Asia have resolved to make pastoral ministry among migrants a key priority in the coming years, recognising the growing challenges faced by migrant communities across the region.

The decision was taken during the four-day conclave of the Asian Claretian Conference held from July 30 to August 2 at the Holy Cross Animation Centre in Shillong, Meghalaya.

Thirty-nine Claretians, including Major Superiors of the five Claretian Provinces in India and Sri Lanka and members of the General Administration from Rome, participated in the gathering.

A major session on “Including Migrants into the Life of the Church: Pastoral Care” was led on August 1 by Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Migrants of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. Fr. Siby Eravimangalam, Social Work Councillor of the Claretians from Delhi, moderated the session.

Fr. Siby highlighted the increasing migration of people from mission areas, particularly from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and other regions, to cities and southern parts of India. He urged the Claretians to respond more actively to the pastoral needs of migrants and collaborate with the wider Church in accompanying them.

Fr. Jaison described the initiative as an opportunity for the Claretians to work closely with the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India in serving migrants.

“Networking is one of the best solutions to support migrants,” he said, stressing the importance of connecting places of origin and destination to reduce the risks migrants face during their journeys.

Fr. Joy Pulickal, Vice Provincial of the North East Province and Coordinator of the Asian Claretian Conference, said migration often brings anxiety and numerous social and pastoral challenges. He called for greater sensitisation of local communities so that migrants are welcomed and helped to integrate into their new surroundings.

At the same time, he said, migrants should be encouraged to understand local cultures and participate actively in the communities where they live.

Fr. Jaison also traced the historical development of the Catholic Church’s ministry to migrants. He noted that in 1914, during the First World War, the Church called the faithful to pray for Italian migrants. The initiative gradually developed into the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, observed annually in the Catholic Church on the last Sunday of September with special liturgical celebrations and prayers.

The 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be observed on September 27 this year under the theme, “Even just one of these Children” (cf. Mt 18:5).

Following the presentation, participants held provincial-level discussions and agreed to strengthen collaboration with the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and other migrant networks.

The Claretian Provinces will identify key places of origin and destination where migrants need assistance, appoint Claretians specifically for migrant ministry, organise formation and training programmes, participate in initiatives of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, and assist in providing pastoral and spiritual care, including through chaplaincy services.

Fr. Jaison welcomed the decision to recognise migrant pastoral care as an important area of Claretian ministry and expressed appreciation for the commitment to greater collaboration in accompanying migrants with compassion and hope.

By Catholic Connect Reporter