Author: crsponsorscouncil

I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me” Pastoral Letter on Welcoming Refugees

The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) published their Pastoral Letter on October 26, 2015. In their four section letter they begin by explaining in the first section (Why We Are Writing) the rationale for the letter. They are direct in saying, “We believe that discussion is not enough; this is a time for urgent action”. The CCCB is indicating that the traditional definition of a “refugee” is no longer adequate. They declare, “We can now add a new category of climate or environmental refugees”.

In the second section entitled “Biblical Teaching” the Bishops remind us that Jesus himself was a refugee, “Even the child Jesus himself was a refugee when his family fled the persecution of King Herod (Matthew 2.13-14)”. The key phrase is from the Gospel of St. Mathew – “I was a stranger and you
welcomed me” (Matthew 25.35).

The next section, “Welcoming and Protecting Refugees” reminds us clearly that what we as Church can do is not only limited to simply assisting and supporting the refugee as they progress through the process of selection, but must look to full inclusion that clearly respects differences. This section goes on to note the many issues in need of clarification. These include: accelerating procedures, emphasis on family reunification, asylum, appeal procedures and others.

The final section (The Church: Speaking and Acting on Behalf of Refugees) the challenge is clear, “Our faith calls us to let ourselves be moved – even disturbed – by our sisters and brothers who are refugees”. The Bishops note and congratulate the many parishes and other groups who have sponsored refugees over the years. In terms of the Government, the Bishops say, “It is imperative that this Catholic voice be heard by the Canadian government”. There are several practical ideas that are meant for all of us to undertake. These include: call on the federal government, praying for refugees in camps around the world, support Development and Peace and CNEWA, create local diocesan services, mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees, provide formation for pastors and pastoral workers and establish a pastoral ministry for migrants.

You can read the entire letter here.

Bishops of Canada urge the Government – take action on refugee sponsorship

In a letter to the country’s national political leaders, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, asks them to collaborate in better assisting refugees. “No matter which of you may be invited to form the next government and to serve as the next leader of the official opposition – to support efforts by the government and individual members of Parliament to ensure Canada effectively expands, accelerates and facilitates the private sponsorship of refugees. We particularly urge you to find more effective ways of reuniting refugee families, and to recognize the special urgency of the needs of children, single-parent families, and those minorities and individuals facing persecution.”

The Bishop also said that the Office for Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT) is one of the nation’s largest refugee agencies. Staff from other Catholic dioceses and eparchies have formed a special organization, the Catholic Refugee Sponsors’ Council. Both ORAT and the Sponsors’ Council are active in providing advice and information for groups wishing to initiate sponsorship or resettlement, or already involved in such efforts.
“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Canada, I assure you that we will do all we can to cooperate with you, as well as with provincial and municipal governments, in assisting, sponsoring and resettling refugees from Syria, from throughout the Middle East, and from other areas of the world that are experiencing conflict or persecution. Furthermore, we will continue to collaborate in providing humanitarian assistance to the millions of others throughout the world who have been displaced because of famine, poverty or environmental disaster.”
You can read the entire letter here.

BISHOPS OF CANADA ENDORSE AND SUPPORT JOINT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES BY DEVELOPMENT & PEACE, CNEWA CANADA AND ACN CANADA

On September 17, 2015 the CCCB published a statement endorsing and supporting a joint Canadian fundraising campaign by Development and Peace (CCODP), Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Canada. The campaign invites Canadians to organize their own parish collections from now until Sunday, November 15, 2015, inclusive. Each diocese is free to decide how it will distribute the funds among the three national agencies. The three Canadian Catholic aid and development agencies will collaborate in their fundraising for Syrian refugees, so as to respond as effectively as possible to the complex and overwhelming Syrian emergency.

Development and Peace will work to expand its ongoing efforts to support Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries in the Middle East.It will also expand its reach through the Caritas international family to come to the aid of the thousands of migrants who have fled across the Mediterranean Sea and are now seeking shelter.
ACN and CNEWA will continue to support all refugees affected by this war and will also give special attention to Christian refugees and displaced persons, hoping to ensure a continued Christian presence in the Middle East.
The three agencies will later send reports to Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada on the total funds received for Syrian refugees as a result of the new campaign. At a special meeting held during the 2015 Plenary Assembly, the Conference’s Permanent Council stated it rejoices at the news some Canadian dioceses and eparchies have already launched or will soon launch their own projects in aid of Syrian refugees.
You can read the entire statement here.
Further resources. Click on the links below for further information

Canadian bishops’ social justice document raises plight of refugees

Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News published an article in the Catholic Register on September 8, 2015. She says that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ justice and peace commission has published a 20-page document, “A Church Seeking Justice: The Challenge of Pope Francis to the Church in Canada,” specifically addressing the plight of refugees along with questions it raises regarding Canada. She quotes Bishop Don Bolen from Saskatoon the chair the justice and peace commission who says, ““I hope that all the attention given to the Syrian refugees and the immediate coverage in recent days highlights the tremendous suffering of refugees and the tens of millions of people who are caught in this situation.”

The document, however, does not only challenge governments to bring in more refugees, it asks, “Should your church community?” The document also cites United Nations figures placing the number of people around the world displaced by war, persecution and conflict at 59.5 million. The section on refugees is only one of many in a 20-page document that touches on many areas that are dealt with under headings of “human dignity and labour; war and peace; and economics.”

In reference to the message of Pope Francis when he speaks of ‘globalization of indifference,’  We have become accustomed to the suffering of others. That doesn’t concern us.”

You can read Deborah’s complete article by clicking here.

You can read the entire 20 page document from the CCCB “A Church Seeking Justice” by clicking here.

Clinic launched ‘where care matters more than a (health) card’

 

Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter for the Toronto Star, published an article on June 11, 2015 on a new health clinic, made possible by volunteers and donors, will care for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents — the uninsured and undocumented. There will all be a grand opening of the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care on Sheppard Ave. E., in Scarborough, with an open house that runs through June 13-14. The former Volunteer Health Clinic for the Uninsured has finally found a permanent home in the 107-year-old manse of Knox Presbyterian Church Agincourt. The new 2,800-square-foot facility will house a medical clinic, a dental clinic, pediatric services, midwifery and diagnostic imaging programs, chiropractic and massage services, and a foot care clinic all under one roof. It will be run by medical professionals volunteering their time and will serve some of the most vulnerable residents — the undocumented and uninsured.

You can read the full article by clicking here.

Legal Aid seeks standing at penalty hearing for disgraced refugee lawyer

The Toronto Star published an article by Nicholas Keung on Sunday May 10, 2015 dealing with a lawyer who has admitted to misconduct in refugee cases.

Viktor Hohots, who pleaded guilty to professional misconduct in March for failing to adequately prepare the asylum claims of 13 of his clients. Jozef Pusuma, one of the complainants who sought sanctuary in a church for more than two years before leaving Canada voluntarily with his wife, Timea Daróczi, and daughter, Viktoria, have also submitted an impact statement to the hearing for Mr. Hohots.

Mary Jo Leddy of Romero House, which helps refugees resettle, said the impact could be more far-reaching and reported on a study that found Hohots represented hundreds of Hungarian — mostly Roma — cases between 2008 and 2012, with a dismal 1.2 per cent success rate. She says, “We are not interested in simply punishing a lawyer for misconduct. We are interested in a justice that restores humanity to both the offender and the offended. We would like to see Viktor Hohots involved in the process of seeking redress for the refugees who were harmed by his misconduct.”

You can read the full article by clicking here.

Job Opening Jesuit Refugee Service National Director

Jesuit Refugee Service is looking for a National Director. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and displaced people. One of the responsibilities is to coordinate, facilitate and implement support activities for refugees and migrants. She or he also represents JRS and related Jesuit initiatives to the Canadian Bishops and and national organizations for the defense of refugees, notably the Canadian Council for Refugees. Place of work: Montreal Office (Bellarmin House, 25, rue Jarry Ouest, Montreal). He or she will have to travel regularly to other Canadian cities, especially Toronto. Starting date: August 2015.

You can read the full job posting by clicking here.

Legal Aid vows to ‘weed out’ bad refugee lawyers

Nicholas Keung, Toronto Star immigration reporter, published this article on Monday April 20, 2015.  He notes that after two years of consultations, the body that administers the province’s legal aid program will start screening lawyers representing refugee claimants based on their experience, expertise and records if they want to be paid to do asylum cases. In 2014, Canada received 13,133 asylum claims, two-thirds of them in Central Region that covers Greater Toronto. The issue arises from ongoing concerns over poor representation of the most vulnerable by some lawyers in jeopardizing legitimate refugees’ claims for protection. Legal Aid Ontario has set a July 17 deadline for lawyers to submit to the screening process, where they must fill out an application to detail their experience in representing refugees at the Immigration and Refugee Board and Federal Court of Canada. Any lawyer who does not apply before then or fails to meet the standards will be removed from legal aid’s roster. However, there are those who express reservations as to whether refugee lawyers, despite their diligence and good intent, are able to do everything expected of them with the limited number of hours Legal Aid Ontario pays for.

You can read the full article by clicking here.

Supreme Court ruling could alter landscape for refugee advocates

The Toronto Star published an article on March 14, 2015 by Debra Black in which she outlines the Supreme Court ruling on advocating for refugees. Advocates have said that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is written far too broadly and puts people who legitimately help refugees at risk of prosecution. Section 117 makes it illegal to “organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada of one or more persons knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, their coming into Canada is or would be in contravention of this Act.”

Francisco Rico, co-director of the FJC Refugee Centre in Toronto says “We do it being aware of the daily risk,”

Still, many challenging the law worry in a political climate increasingly hostile to refugees, it could criminalize the work of all advocates and humanitarians, says Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Lawyer Lorne Waldman, who represented one of the appellants in a Supreme Court case, said if the law stands, it “will be a strong disincentive against people helping refugees to try to come to Canada.”

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

New report on Development and Peace’s solidarity with the people of Syria

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) has released their report on the crisis in Syria and surrounding areas covering the years 2011-2015. They outline the depth of the problems in the region and what CCODP and their partners have been doing to help the people affected by the crisis. The report indicates that the crisis began during the time of the Arab Spring of 2011, whose goal it was to spread democracy across the region. The result was civil war in Syria. Today many groups are fighting with each other and another group (ISIS) has arrived and is intent on taking control, of the entire region by force.

Infrastructure has been destroyed, many Syrians are fleeing their own country, host countries are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of refugees, the past two winters have been devastating. The statistics provided are shocking. For example in March 2012 there were 7,500 deaths in Syria but in March of 2015 there were 220,000. In March of 2012 there were 40,000 refugees compared to 3.75 million in March of 2015.

Development and Peace felt compelled to launch an appeal in collaboration with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to raise funds to support Syrians trapped in the calamity of war. In addition to contributions of $2.8 million from parishes, dioceses, schools, religious communities and Canadians at-large, Development and Peace has also received $11.3 million in funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and $932,000 from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB).

Development and Peace’s principal partner in Syria, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), manages to reach thousands of people despite these circumstances, and even as their own staff are directly affected by the war. JRS is providing help with lodging, educational activities for children, medication for chronic diseases, hospital access, care kits for infants, and household kits containing clothes, bed linens, kitchen supplies, and hygiene kits.

You can read the entire report by clicking here.

The website for the CCODP can be found here.