To mark the Catholic Church’s celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, we have recorded a discussion between Bishop Paul McAleenan, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, and four guests who work to help refugees meet the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Bishop McAleenan was joined by Archbishop Nathanael Nizar Semaan of Hadiab-Erbil dioceses in northern Iraq, Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, Ben from ‘Refugees Call for Change’ and Brother Johannes Maertens who spent many years helping refugees at “The Jungle” camp in Calais, northern France.
The discussion covered the current plight of refugees in the UK, Europe, and around the world in light of Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees – celebrated this year on Sunday, 27 September 2020. The participants also explored practical steps that Catholics can take to support our refugee sisters and brothers.
For the theme of his message for this year, the Pope chose Like Jesus Christ, Forced to Flee, calling us to see the face of God in migrants and refugees. He also made a special appeal for the world’s 45.7 million internally displaced people.
