Jamshedpur Workshop Calls Church to Compassionate Accompaniment of Migrants

Jamshedpur, March 4, 2026: The Church’s pastoral commitment to migrants and their families took centre stage at a workshop on “Accompanying Migrants and Their Families” held on February 26 at Janvikas Kendra, Patel Bagan, Jamshedpur. The programme gathered 95 participants, including catechists, women religious, and parish priests, reflecting a united effort to address the growing realities of migration with faith-filled sensitivity and action.

Opening the deliberations, Bp Telesphore Bilung underscored that migration must be understood not merely as a social or economic phenomenon but as a deeply human and pastoral concern. He urged Church leaders and pastoral workers to move beyond theoretical discussions and stand in concrete solidarity with migrants and their families, many of whom face uncertainty, exploitation, and emotional distress.

The workshop was enriched by the presence of experienced resource persons who offered both pastoral and social perspectives. Fr. Jaison Vaddasery, National Executive Secretary of the Commission for Migration under the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), shared insights into the Church’s national-level initiatives and the need for coordinated responses across dioceses. He was joined by Fr. Bipin Pani of SIGN, Ranchi, Fr. Edwardo from Bangalore, and Mr. Nirmal, a Delhi-based social worker, who highlighted the stark ground realities confronting migrant communities in urban and industrial centres.

Central to the discussions were the four pastoral verbs—welcome, protect, promote, and integrate—which have consistently shaped the Church’s response to migration, particularly under the guidance of Pope Francis. Participants reflected on how these principles could be translated into parish-level initiatives, ensuring that migrants are not reduced to statistics but recognised as persons with dignity, stories, and spiritual needs.

Biblical and ecclesial teachings formed the spiritual backbone of the workshop. The Gospel mandate from Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” was highlighted as an essential expression of Christian discipleship. Church documents such as Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi and the Holy Father’s messages for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees were cited as guiding frameworks, reaffirming the Church’s call to uphold the dignity and rights of every migrant.

Practical concerns were also brought into focus. Parish priests and catechists were encouraged to identify vulnerable migrants within their communities, initiate counselling services, support livelihood opportunities, and extend pastoral care to families left behind—often the silent sufferers in the migration cycle. The importance of building networks of solidarity among parishes and dioceses was stressed to ensure a more effective and compassionate response.

The workshop concluded with a renewed resolve to make parishes places of welcome and accompaniment. By embracing migrants through pastoral care and social outreach, the Church in Jamshedpur reaffirmed its mission to be a sign of hope, justice, and inclusion for those on the move and for the families who journey with them in faith and resilience.

By Fr. Valerian Lobo