CSN Migrants and Refugees unit flags off Apostolate of Pastoral Care for Migration in Nigeria
The Migrants and Refugees unit of the Department of Church and Society, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) flagged off the Apostolate of Pastoral Care of Migration in Nigeria with the theme: “Fostering collaborative engagement of church and state for migrants and refugees assistance: Building stronger networks and solutions,” at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja.
In his opening speech, the Episcopal Chairman, Migrants and Refugees unit of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Yohanna Bulus, disclosed that the creation of the local office of migrants and refugees by CBCN is a direct response to the Papal injunction to the universal church to provide people who find themselves on the move and in need of assistance with the care and dignity they deserve as children of God.
Highlighting the core focus of the office of migrants and refugees, the Unit’s Episcopal Chairman explained that the apostolate is to provide pastoral care, either spiritually or materially to migrants of all categories. He also added that among other concerns, the office of the migrants and refugees as an organ of the CBCN, is to domesticate or adapt the pastoral orientations and initiatives of the universal church in addressing the migration crises, provided by the migrants and refugees section of the Vatican.
Bishop Bulus who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kotangora Diocese, further stated that the migrants and refugees unit, remains the official voice of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria on issues relating to migration, and in making representations to government, inter-government and international agencies managing migration.
In his keynote speech, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, lamented that migrants and refugees in Nigeria, and especially in the FCT, face an array of challenges that are often exacerbated by the noticeable absence of adequate government support. He emphasized that these individuals, having fled from conflict, persecution, and dire economic circumstances, arrive here with hopes of safety and the possibility of rebuilding their lives, are sadly faced with the reality of neglect and insufficient infrastructure to cater to their basic needs.
Establishing that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has repeatedly call for a compassionate, inclusive, and justice-oriented approach to migrants and refugees, and the advocacy for policies and actions that uphold their dignity and address the root causes of forced migration, the Prelate noted that these principles are particularly relevant for Nigerian migrants and refugees facing significant challenges both within and outside their country.
Furthermore, the keynote speaker appealed to all stakeholders, the various diocesan coordinators of the unit, including government authorities, civil society organizations, and the international community, to commit to a more proactive and compassionate approach to the plight of migrants and refugees. He therefore affirmed that the flagging off of the Apostolate of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees is a significant step by the CBCN towards addressing the pressing needs of displaced individuals in Nigeria.
On his part, the Episcopal Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees unit of CSN, Rev Fr Augustine Akhogba, described the flagging off exercise as a significant moment in the collective journey of compassion, solidarity and advocacy for migrants and refugees, guided by the principles and teachings of the catholic faith as enshrined in the Catholic Social Teaching.
Fr. Akhogba explained that the pastoral care of migrants is an essential part of the Church’s fundamental mission, namely, to accompany God’s people in all their “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties.” He further explained that through pastoral care, the church demonstrates that she takes to heart the challenges of all categories of migrants in the various phases of their journey.
Charging all present to promote the common good of all persons, by drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of the Catholic Social Teaching, the Episcopal Secretary, invited all men and women of goodwill, to join hands and heart with the unit in their noble mission of mercy and justice.
The event also welcomed Goodwill messages from individuals, government and collaborative agencies including; the Migrants and Refugees Section, DPIHD (Vatican City) RECOWA, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), International Organization for Immigration (IOM), amongst others.
The flagging off activities which held from Tuesday, July 23, through Friday, July 26, 2024, welcomed all diocesan coordinators of the migrants and refugees unit across the various dioceses in country and representatives of related agencies in attendance.
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