The Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Fr. Fabio Baggio, addressed the recent assembly of the Canadian Bishops' Conference (CCCB) to offer his expert contribution in the context of migration.
The CCCB held its plenary assembly in Quebec City from 24-26 September. During the annual meeting, the Justice and Peace Commission led a pastoral study session on the situation of migrants in the world and in Canada.
Fr. Baggio presented an overview of the global migration situation, highlighting some of the most urgent challenges to which the Church on five continents is called to respond. This was followed by Dr. Santopadre, head of the Refugee Reception and Sponsorship Programme of the Diocese of Montreal and director of the Asylum Centre of Le Pont (the bridge), who contextualized the challenges in the varied Canadian migration landscape.
It was also an opportunity to present the potential value of a service for the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility, in light of a possible launch of an office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants within the Canadian Bishops’ Commission, as a response to current challenges.
The bishops then continued their reflection in groups to discern together how to respond adequately and effectively to the challenges of migration and interculturality.