January 15, 2017 is World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme as established by Pope Francis is, “Child migrants, the vulnerable and the voiceless”. Across Canada in many dioceses there are liturgies in commemoration and honouring this special day.

In his message pope Francis reminds us that the sure path which leads to God begins with the smallest and, through the grace of our Saviour it grows into the practice of welcoming others. The Pope focuses our attention on the reality of child migrants, especially the ones who are alone. They are defenseless: they are children, they are foreigners, and they have no means to protect themselves.

The Pope asks “How can we respond?” First, he says we need to become aware that the phenomenon of migration is not unrelated to salvation history, but rather a part of that history. In addition, we need to work towards protection, integration and long-term solutions. Furthermore, the most powerful force driving the exploitation and abuse of children is demand.

Secondly, we need to work for the integration of children and youngsters who are migrants. They depend totally on the adult community.

Thirdly, to all the Pope addresses a heartfelt appeal that long-term solutions be sought and adopted.

Lastly, Pope Francis addresses a word to us, who walk alongside migrant children and young people: they need our precious help. The Church too needs us and supports us in the generous service we offer.

Please read the entire document here: “Child Migrants“

The Honourable Jim Munson was the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights along with the co-chair the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan. In December the Senate published their report on the Syrian resettlement issue in Canada. The report clearly stated that “the Government of Canada is not allocating enough resources to help them integrate”.

The report expresses concerns that when refugees arrive in Canada they are already in debt that need to be paid with interest within certain time limits. In addition it mentions that the Canadian Child Benefit needs to be available much quicker to these families.

The ability to communicate in English or French is vital to survival in Canada and the report suggests that Canada should be providing more funds to support English language classes for refugees. Furthermore the report goes on to highlight the fact that the youth need further programs to help them integrate quicker into Canada.

Many refugees come from a land of war. It is vital, the report says, that Canada offer special mental health and other social services to enable the refugees to feel more settled here in Canada. The report also describes situations of domestic and gender-based violence in society. It is recommended that the Government develop ways that these can be addressed.

Moreover, many refugees come to Canada with the hope that some of their relatives who are still in Syria can be settled in Canada. The Government needs to develop ways and means to help resolve this issue as well.

This report is well worth the time to read. You can read the full document by clicking here: A Syrian Resettlement Story

St. Nicholas, the first Santa Claus, is or could/should be the patron saint of all sponsors of refugees. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. There are many accounts of St. Nicholas helping the poor and especially the children. These stories help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

Those who sponsor refugees are just like St. Nicholas. They go out of their way to provide the basic necessities to refugees – food, shelter, clothing and love. It is time we honour and be thankful to all the sponsors of refugees. Their dedication, time and talents have helped thousands of refugees to enjoy a better life.

Here is a short prayer you can say to invoke the blessing of St. Nicholas:

Saint Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ, assist us in your loving kindness.

On Saturday November 26, 2016 at Marylake Shrine in King City Ontario a very enthusiastic  and committed group of people sat down to discuss the refugee situation in Canada and the world. The workshop was organized by the Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice and the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council (CRSC).

The meeting was chaired by Brian Dwyer the Director of the Augustinian Centre for Social Justice and the chair of the CRSC. The special guest presenters included Fr. Emeka Obiezu, former representative of the Augustinians to the United Nations and Rev. Bob Dueweke, the present Augustinian rep to the United Nations.

Fr. Dueweke provided the group with an overview of the role and work of the Augustinians at the UN. He pointed to the constitution of the Augustinian Order declaring that there is a social commitment to “clearly identify and resolve issues such as: defense of life, human rights, the situation of migrants and the dignity of women; to protect justice and peace at the United Nations”.

Following this discussion, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was presented by Fr. Obiezu and Fr. Dueweke. The SDG’s were promulgated by the UN in September 2015. There are 17 goals with specific targets for each goal. Examples of some of these goals are: no poverty, quality education, clean water, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action, peace and justice and partnerships.

Please read more about the SDG’s here: SDG’s

What followed next was a discussion of the “United Nations Summit Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants” held in New York on September 19, 2016. Canada was represented by the Prime Minister, some Cabinet members and other officials. Many people from local NGO’s and civil society were also invited. The Canadian Augustinian Centre for Social Justice was invited but was unable to attend. The summit included “round tables” attended by many members of civil society, governments and businesses.

The result of this summit is “The New York Declaration”. This document was distributed to the participants for discussion. Each country participating at the summit committed to following these declarations. A summary of the declaration is available here: New York Declaration

The declaration includes the following commitments: protection of human rights of migrants and refugees, education of children, protection against violence, recognizing the positive contributions of refugees and migrants, implementing a comprehensive refugee response program and many more.

The summit agreed that there be an international conference on the adoption of a global compact for safe migration in 2018. The CRSC and the Augustinian Centre will follow this process closely.

The next speaker was Rabea Allos from the CRSC. He spoke about the Canadian “Government Assisted Refugees” Program (GAR).  He made the point that settlement of refugees in Canada is handled most efficiently and productively by private sponsors and not the GAR. The CRSC will be advocating to the Government to slowly decrease their GAR program and offer more support to private sponsorships.

At the conclusion of this informative and inspiring workshop, the participants were grateful for the new information and were motivated to help and support the Augustinian Centre and the CRSC. There will be follow-ups from the summit in New York, and from the Marylake Shrine Monastery.

You can see more about this workshop by clicking on “Activities” at the top of this page, along with some pictures.

On July 10, 2016, the Catholic Register published an article by Michael Swan dealing with the numbers of refugees worldwide. It is reported that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees calculates that one out of every 113 people on Earth is now either an asylum seeker, internally displaced or a refugee, with children making up 51 per cent of the world’s refugees. In Canada, since Nov. 4, 2015, 28,640 Syrian refugees have been resettled. This year Canada will resettle more than 44,000 refugees, the majority of them Syrians.

Jesuit Refugee Service Canada executive director Norbert Piché says that we should look at one person at a time, and not the numbers, or else we get depressed. Without solutions, we risk destabilization, he says.

Religious communities play an essential role in countering the forces that have created so many refugees since the turn of the century, Mark said.

Please read the entire article. Refugee Numbers

Another version of this article was also published in the B.C. Catholic Paper on July 18, 2016. You can read it here: Refugee Numbers 65 Million

Your comments are welcome. crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com

Agnieszka Krawczynski had an article published in the B.C. Catholic in June, 2016. The article describes the events leading up to the arrival of the Sayegh family in Canada. As a reminder of the terrible ordeal Albert Sayegh brought to Canada a shred of shrapnel embedded in his flesh on his left side. He fled Syria with his wife and three children in 2014, a few months before the war’s four-year mark, and landed here in Canada this spring. Sayegh, a mechanical engineer, had a successful career that sent him on business trips around the world. Nahla, his wife was terrified to leave the house, there was so much danger and shooting.

The family became refugees on Christmas Day in 2014. They landed in Jordan and lived there for 14 months, waiting for approval to come to Canada. Thanks to Canadian Martyrs Parish, they landed at Vancouver airport Feb. 23, 2016. Their teen aged daughter Lydia says that now “everything is good”. Father Richard Au, pastor of Canadian Martyrs, heard about the family thanks to friendly ties with the bishop of Jerusalem.

The parish organized several fundraising events and Archbishop J. Michael Miller CSB to attended one of them.

Please read the entire article: Sayegh’s Family

The next generation of leaders needs to be informed about the plight of refugees. This is the theme of the article published in the Catholic Register on June 3, 2016 written by  Maria Montemayor. Amanda Cacilhas, from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) spoke to a Youth Council evening dialogue on “Refugee Dialogues: What we know from Syria and beyond”. She made the point that we need to not only focus on Syrian refugees but the entire globe, as this is a global crisis. Many young people want to help in this work but are not sure how or what to do.

In order to begin the process of helping it is vital that the youth know some facts and the history of the crisis we experience today and what Governments are proposing and are doing. The evening session included a panel of refugees, social service providers (Matthew House Refugee Services, Refugee Sponsorship Training Program) and a teacher at Humber college.

The evening was a great success, says Amanda.

Please read the entire article here: Youth Engagement

Your comments are most welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com

In an article published on May 25, 2016 Deborah Gyapong reported that the new Office of Freedom and Human Rights (OFHRI) had been established by the Canadian Government. Her report indicated that many Catholic agencies applauded this new office and welcomed it. Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion said religious issues will be a key component of the new office’s mandate. The director general is Richard Arbeiter. The new office will have three divisions: Human Rights and Indigenous Affairs, Inclusion and Religious Freedom under the Director Giuliana Natale, and Democracy.

Josianne Gauthier from Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace said she was pleased to see a greater promotion of human rights, noting many people are persecuted for reasons other than religion, such as political beliefs or environmental activism. She also applauded the government’s adding indigenous rights to the mandate.

Carl Hetu, national director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association of Canada (CNEWA), says that it is now I think it’s up to us — organizations, churches and religions — to work with the government to ensure that religious freedom is always important in our foreign policy.

Please read the entire article – Freedom and Human Rights

Your comments are always welcome: crsponsorscouncil@gmail.com

On May 23, 2016 the Catholic News Service published an article by Allana Hayes which discussed the plight of refugees and the shared responsibility for resettlement. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired Archbishop of Washington, referring to the current refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq, gave the keynote address at the “Refugee Crisis in the Middle East: A Shared Responsibility,” sponsored by the Center for Migration Studies of New York. The Cardinal also said that since our inception we have offered refuge to millions of persons around the world. For many of us, our families are in that group.

Mazlin Kamuona and Omar al-Muqdad, refugees from Iraq and Syria, are among the millions of people who have fled to the United States in the nation’s history to escape religious persecution. They spoke during a panel session on resettlement and refugees’ experiences of integration into a new country. Kamuona said,  “They are safe now in a free country, and for that I am happy to call the United States my home.”

You can read the full article here: Shared Responsibility

You can also read it here: Refugees Plight

On April 28, it was reported that Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio, President, Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People spoke about the need for some practical concrete things to be done with respect to Europe and the influx of refugees. He points to the agreement with Turkey and the  Balkan border closures which have worsened the situation.  Caritas has expressed its rejection of this agreement and has described it as “unacceptable.” The Cardinal states clearly, “this word comes off as a little strong but yes, the attitude of Europe is a bit ‘Pilate-like.'” He points out that sending Syrians back to Syria “is the most humane and  Christian way of behaving.”

You can read the statements by the Cardinal here: Europe – Pontius Pilate

Please provide your comments here: Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council