In this edition:

| Oceania Migrants and Refugees Network (OMRN) Meeting in Sydney

| Migrant Jubilee Cross Visits the Archdiocese of Melbourne

| Cardinal Baggio: “Particular Attention Must be Paid to Those Who Knock at the Doors as Forced Migrants”

Upcoming events:

| Save the Date: 8th ACMRO National Conference 2026

| 14-20 June: Refugee Week

| 20 June: World Refugee Day

| 27 September: 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR)

Oceania Migrants and Refugees Network (OMRN) Meeting in Sydney

The first in-person meeting of the OMRN took place in Sydney last December, marking a major step forward in coordinated regional support for migrant workers, refugees, and climate-displaced communities across the Pacific. Announced earlier by Bishop Anthony Randazzo, president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO), the network aims to strengthen pastoral and practical assistance while improving access to employment and healthcare for vulnerable groups across Oceania.

Key Catholic migrant and refugee agencies of Oceania and partner organisations – including the ACMRO, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, and the Migrants and Refugees Desk of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands – participated in the meeting. Delegates from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the International Catholic Migration Commission were also present. Together, participants identified three priority concerns: climate-related displacement, the complex challenges facing temporary migrant workers, and the urgent situation of refugees from West Papua and others seeking safety within the region.

Leaders at the meeting also highlighted the growing urgency of climate displacement across the Pacific. CEPAC secretary general Lillian Bing underscored the reality that rising sea levels are forcing many Pacific Islanders to leave their homelands. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand CEO Mena Antonio added that the network can help elevate the voices of island communities affected by climate and economic injustice, ensuring these concerns reach both regional and global platforms. Vincentian Refugee Network president Tim McKenna provided a fresh perspective on what an associate member organisation can bring to the table. ACMRO’s Don Gomez welcomed the network as a platform where “we can listen to many sides of the story, many different stories; and it encourages our churches to truly be on the ground and to be present for these migrants and refugees.”

            

We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the original publisher of this article.

Migrant Jubilee Cross Visits the Archdiocese of Melbourne

Carried into St Patrick’s Cathedral by members of the Filipino, Vietnamese and Sudanese communities during a solemn Vespers service led by Archbishop Peter Comensoli, the Migrant Jubilee Cross was received with reverence and deep gratitude.

During the service, Archbishop Comensoli described the Cross’s pilgrimage as “a moving embrace” from God – an invitation for the Church to be a “safe harbour” for all, especially those who have travelled far in search of hope. He highlighted the long history of migrants shaping Australia’s story and urged the community to reflect on what must change to build a more welcoming future. Music for the liturgy was led by the Filipino Chaplaincy Choir, who accompanied the congregation as the Cross was processed to the Sacred Heart Chapel for veneration.

The Cross continues to travel across the archdiocese, visiting multicultural parishes and migrant communities, including St Brigid’s in North Fitzroy, the Ta’ Pinu Shrine in Bacchus Marsh and the Croatian Catholic Centre in Springvale, before being entrusted to the Syro Malabar community in Greenvale on Friday 5 March.

At each visit, it offers an opportunity for reflection, prayer and celebration of the courage and contributions of migrants who continue to shape the Australian Church.

The organising committee would greatly appreciate it if you could continue sharing your experiences and photos on the ACMRO Facebook page.

            

            

We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to the Archdiocese of Melbourne, the original publisher of this article.

Cardinal Baggio: “Particular Attention Must be Paid to Those Who Knock at the Doors as Forced Migrants”

Cardinal Fabio Baggio, undersecretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has urged governments and the international community to expand legal avenues for migrants as a key strategy to reduce irregular immigration. Speaking in an interview with the National Catholic Reporter published on 24 February, he warned against what he described as a “negative narrative” that misrepresents the Church’s longstanding commitment to migrant support.

Cardinal Baggio emphasised that both Pope Leo and Pope Francis share a consistent pastoral concern for migrants, framing migration not only as a geopolitical issue but also as a fundamental matter of human dignity. He rejected claims that the Catholic Church engages in migration advocacy for financial gain, noting instead that the Church frequently aids migrants “without the necessary funds” and often under challenging conditions.

Addressing the broader social climate, Cardinal Baggio stressed that migrants living in irregular circumstances must not be discriminated against, describing them as “children of God” deserving of compassion and support. He highlighted the need for more ethical and humane policies that reduce vulnerability to trafficking, exploitation and dangerous migration routes.

Cardinal Baggio also pointed to new global challenges, including technological shifts such as artificial intelligence and widening inequalities, that complicate economic and social landscapes for both migrants and host societies. He affirmed that Pope Leo remains engaged with local churches on migration issues and is expected to visit the Italian island of Lampedusa, continuing the symbolic path set by Pope Francis in advocating for the world’s most vulnerable people.

            

We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to the National Catholic Reporter, the original publisher of this article.

Save the Date: 8th ACMRO National Conference 2026

The ACMRO team is pleased to announce that it will host the eighth iteration of its National Conference on 25 to 26 August 2026 at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

The aim of the conference is to acknowledge and celebrate the faith, gifts, contributions and resilience that migrant communities bring to both our local Church and the wider world, with a particular emphasis on their role in a synodal Church.

More details will be posted on the ACMRO website soon.

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