News & Stories
Light the dark: Candle light vigils across Australia
The image of the Syrian child’s lifeless body washed up on the shores of a Turkish beach brought the world to its knees. His name was Aylan Kurdi, and he was just three years old.The sad reality is that Aylan was one among millions of desperate people forced…
Read MoreBig hearts needed for Refugee & Migrant Sunday
Refugee and Migrant Sunday is a celebration of the contribution and dignity of people who arrive as refugees and migrants. It is celebrated by the Churches together on or around the last Sunday of August each year. The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office has released its Refugee…
Read MoreBishops’ Social Justice Statement 2015
Social Justice Sunday is on 27 September. This year’s Social Justice Statement is titled: ‘For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers’ This statement reminds all Australians of the need to welcome and comfort those who have fled here from terror and danger,…
Read MoreACMRO releases 2015 Migrant & Refugee kit
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office has released its 2015 Migrant and Refugee kit. This is a great resource available for Parishes and communities to help celebrate the contribution migrants and refugees have in our Catholic and wider communities. The Kit contains information including the message from the Holy Father,…
Read MoreLabor’s ‘turn back boats’ option: let’s keep more humane options
By Fr Maurizio Pettena, Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) National Director In the current debate on how to stop boat arrivals, the question to consider is how should Australia respond? In the past week, the Australian Labor Leader has stated that: “One of the options which…
Read MoreThe Border Force Act’s disquieting parallels
From Andrew Hamilton, Eureka Street July 5, 2015 On July 1 the Australian Border Force Act 2015 came into force. On the same day 40 people who were working in Australian detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island signed an open letter of protest to the Prime Minister…
Read MoreJulian Burnside: 4 things we all CAN do to bring about more compassion for asylum seekers
At a presentation on June 24 at St Francis Church in Melbourne organised by Vinnies Victoria, Julian Burnside QC spoke of his deep concern at the extent to which we have fallen as a nation. Through our poor treatment of refugees, we have violated their human rights; and…
Read MoreQ & A with Sr Brigid Arthur: Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project
Why is it important to bring together an alliance of Catholics on asylum-seeker issues? Networking with likeminded people who will try and make a difference to this appalling situation with regards to asylum seekers is absolutely essential. There are pockets of people all over the place, lots of…
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