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In this edition:
| Registration Ongoing – 8th ACMRO National Conference 2026
| 20 June – World Refugee Day (WRD) 2026: A Million Stories
| Archdiocese of Perth’s Catholic Youth Celebrate the Migrant Jubilee Cross Pilgrimage
| ICMC – Understanding Asylum: The Basics of Refugee Protection
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Leaders and members of migrant communities, migrant chaplains, those serving in migrant ministry and clergy and religious from overseas dioceses and congregations: Let us come together to acknowledge and celebrate the faith, gifts, contributions and resilience of our migrant communities – the richness they bring to the Church in Australia and to wider society and their dynamic role within a synodal Church.
The ACMRO team invites you to register for the 8th ACMRO National Conference 2026. The conference, themed “Migrant Communities in a Synodal Church,” will run from 25 to 26 August at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, NSW.
Endorsed by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM), the conference will be held in conjunction with the BCELM and Commission Advisory Council face-to-face meetings. It seeks to recognise and celebrate the faith, gifts, contributions and resilience of migrant communities, as well as the richness they bring to the Church in Australia and beyond.
The conference will also highlight the dynamic role of migrant communities within a synodal Church and is expected to bring together leaders and representatives from diverse migrant communities and chaplaincies across Australia.
The keynote speakers for the conference are Cardinal Fabio Baggio CS, Under Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and Dr Trudy Dantis, Director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra and Goulburn, BCELM Chair, will lead the panel discussion and Bishop George Kolodziej SDS of Bunbury will address participants during the conference dinner.
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ACMRO marks World Refugee Day 2026 (WRD) on 20 June, joining global efforts to recognise and honour people who have been forced to flee their homes.
For Australia, WRD 2026 holds special significance. In the wake of World War II, as Europe struggled to recover from immense destruction, Australia responded to a global call by offering refuge and a fresh start to those displaced from their homes.
The Catholic Church in Australia, since as early as 1947, has consistently played a significant role in welcoming and supporting new Australians as they establish themselves in their new home. The Church’s commitment to the welcome and support of refugees and people seeking asylum is also prominently reflected in numerous official documents and statements, among which the following may be noted:
• ACMRO's "What the Catholic Church Teaches on Asylum and Migration?"
• Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the 1950 Pastoral Letter On Immigration - Under the Southern Cross: A Journey of Faith and Unity
• Pastoral Letter on Immigration - Archbishops and Bishops of Australia 1950
• For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for Refugees and Asylum Seekers - The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2015–2016
ACMRO has published online resources to support parishes, schools and other Catholic communities in marking WRD 2026. These include liturgical resources for primary and secondary schools, homily notes, prayers of intercession and parish bulletin notices.
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Catholic youth in Perth gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral on 19 April 2026 to celebrate the arrival of the Migrant Jubilee Cross as part of its journey across Western Australia. Organised by the Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM), the event drew a large and diverse crowd and began with music that created a reflective yet celebratory atmosphere. The cross, which had travelled from Melbourne, was carried in procession around the cathedral grounds, with participants pausing for prayers and reflections that highlighted themes of unity, peace and shared faith.
The celebration included personal testimonies and a Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton. A migrant speaker shared his faith experience in Australia, while Church leaders reflected on the significance of migration and inclusion. The liturgy incorporated prayers in multiple languages, reflecting the cultural diversity of those present, and concluded with a multicultural shared meal that strengthened community bonds among attendees.
The Migrant Jubilee Cross is a symbolic representation of the faith and resilience of migrant communities. As it continues its pilgrimage through dioceses including Bunbury, Geraldton and Broome, the cross invites communities to reflect on themes of welcome, belonging and solidarity within the Church.
We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to the Archdiocese of Perth’s The Record, the original publisher of this article.
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As global displacement continues to rise, asylum remains a vital lifeline for people fleeing danger. Rooted in the aftermath of World War II, modern refugee protection is built on the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which established the principle of non-refoulement – ensuring that no one is returned to a place where they face serious harm. Today, with 149 countries committed to this framework, asylum provides legal protection to individuals escaping persecution and offers a pathway to safety and rebuilding their lives.
To qualify for asylum, individuals must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on specific grounds such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The process itself can be complex and demanding, typically involving registration, interviews, evidence submission, and long waiting periods. While some applicants succeed, others face rejection or prolonged uncertainty, often compounded by limited access to legal support and mental health services.
The scale of need is immense: by mid-2025, over 117 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, including 42.5 million refugees and millions awaiting asylum decisions. Outcomes vary significantly depending on applicants’ nationalities and destination countries, highlighting inconsistencies in how asylum systems are applied. Organisations like the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) continue to advocate for fairer, more humane policies and improved access to protection – reminding us that behind every statistic is a human story deserving dignity, safety and hope.
We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the original publisher of this article.
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Upcoming events:
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