Department of Church and Society, CSN

The Migrants and Refugees Unit is seriously concerned about the migration crisis in the country, which is manifested in the following ways:

1. large-scale displacements due to conflicts, insurgency, banditry and adverse environmental factors as well as high rate of human trafficking, dangerous irregular international migration and repatriation or deportations.

2. Inadequate, and sometimes complete lack of, basic human needs, protection and social services for victims of displacements.

3. Unwelcoming attitude – even hostility – of communities, including Christian communities, to migrants and refugees who do not pose any threat.

4. Stigmatization and rejection of returnees, who have experienced the trauma of failed migration or human trafficking, by families and communities.

5. Lack of commitment by some appointed agents of pastoral care of migration.

6. Lack of interest or support from Dioceses and parishes for migration initiatives and programmes floated by the Catholic Secretariat.

7. Challenges in harmonizing efforts among Church actors on the one hand, and with non-Church actors on the other.