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ACMRO News - September 2026
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In this edition:
| Celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees
| 8th ACMRO National Conference 2026 Highlights Vibrant Role of Migrant Communities in a Synodal Church
| Pope Leo Calls for Greater Protection of Migrant Children
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Children and youth will be the focus of the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 27.
To help parishes, schools and Catholic communities mark the occasion, the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) has published a set of resources online.
This year's theme, "Even just one of these children" (Matthew 18:10), draws attention to children and young people affected by migration and forced displacement, inviting Catholics and all people of goodwill to recognise their dignity, hear their stories and respond with compassion and solidarity.
In his message for the World Day, Pope Leo XIV highlights the vulnerability of children on the move, noting that "minors are the most vulnerable group within the global movements of migration" and that they are "concrete faces, who have unique stories, and call on our conscience",
The Holy Father reminds us that behind migration statistics are children whose lives have been shaped by war, poverty, violence, environmental disasters and family separation.
At the same time, he points to signs of hope in the witness of families, educators, volunteers and faith communities who accompany and support young migrants and refugees.
Reflecting on the Pope's message, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM) and Bishop Delegate for the ACMRO, said the theme challenges Australians to pay closer attention to a frequently overlooked dimension of migration.
"We frequently hear the voices and experiences of adult migrants and refugees, but we tend to forget the children involved," Archbishop Prowse said.
"The Holy Father is inviting us to reflect on the often unseen and unspoken experiences of children who journey alongside their families or who face displacement on their own."
Archbishop Prowse noted that while migrant and refugee children are often invisible and voiceless, they remain at the centre of the Church's concern.
"Our responsibility in our communities and in Australia in general is to go out of our way to be attentive to this often invisible and voiceless dimension of migrants and refugees" Archbishop Prowse said.
ACMRO National Director Fr Khalid Marogi encouraged Catholic communities throughout Australia to use these resources in the lead-up to and during the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and to pray especially for children and families affected by displacement around the world.
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Almost 100 delegates from across Australia gathered at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney from 25-26 August 2026 for the 8th Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office National Conference.
Attendees reflected on the theme "Migrant Communities in a Synodal Church" and exploring how migrant communities serve as evangelisers and missionaries of hope within the Church and the broader Australian community.
The conference brought together bishops, clergy, religious, pastoral workers, migrant chaplaincies, community leaders and lay representatives from diverse cultural backgrounds. The program featured keynote presentations by Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Dr Trudy Dantis, Director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research; and Bishop George Kolodziej SDS, Bishop of Bunbury.
Over two days, participants engaged in prayer, keynote presentations, dialogue and Conversations in the Spirit, focusing on the contributions of migrant communities to the life, mission and future of the Catholic Church in Australia.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM) and Bishop Delegate for ACMRO, emphasised the importance of recognising migrant communities as active participants in the Church's mission.
"This conference has highlighted the extraordinary gift that migrant communities bring to the Church in Australia.”
“Their faith, traditions, cultural heritage and missionary spirit continue to enrich our parishes and communities, helping us become a more synodal Church that listens, welcomes and walks together."
Participants also had the opportunity to hear from a panel discussion, learn about four best-practice models from various ministries, and celebrate the Eucharist at Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel with the Samoan Choir leading the music.
Fr Khalid Marogi, ACMRO National Director, said the conference reaffirmed the Church's commitment to fostering a culture of encounter and accompaniment.
"The conversations and reflections shared throughout these two days have inspired us to continue building communities where every person feels welcomed, valued and able to contribute their gifts. Through listening to one another and journeying together, we become more effective witnesses to the Gospel."
Fr Marogi, thanked speakers, delegates and organisers for making the event a success.
As participants return to their dioceses, parishes and communities, the spirit of the conference continues in a shared commitment to building a Church where cultural diversity is recognised and celebrated as a gift, and where all people can find a place of belonging, participation and hope.
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Pope Leo has urged governments, faith communities and civil society to do more to protect migrant and refugee children, describing them as the most vulnerable victims of global displacement. In his message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the Pope said the suffering of displaced children is a call to the conscience of the world.
Speaking under the theme “Even Just One of These Children", drawn from the Gospel of Matthew, Pope Leo highlighted the hardships faced by children forced to flee their homes, including separation from families, violence, trafficking, exploitation and dangerous migration journeys. He stressed that every child possesses “infinite dignity” and should never be reduced to a statistic.
The Pope called for action both in countries of origin and destination, urging efforts to address the causes of forced migration while providing protection, welcome and opportunities for integration. He also encouraged Christian communities to make the care of migrant children a permanent pastoral priority and to work alongside other faiths in building networks of support.
Pope Leo further appealed to public institutions to prioritise the best interests of children through stronger legal protections, family reunification measures and policies that safeguard human rights. Concluding his message, he entrusted migrant and refugee children to the care of the Virgin Mary and called on communities worldwide to become “living and credible signs of the Gospel".
We extend our acknowledgement and gratitude to Deborah Castellano Lubov of the Vatican News, the original publisher of this article.
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