Immigration minister Chris Bowen

Media Release 22 August, 2012

Next Thursday the 30th August, Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Hon Chris Bowen, Minister of Immigration and Citizenship will come together to reflect on Australia’s moral obligations to people seeking asylum.

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, in association with the Australian Catholic University, host this public lecture in honour of Bishop Joseph Grech who passed away in late 2010.

This public event is the second annual memorial colloquium on ethics and migration to be held and is also part of the Catholic Church celebrations for the 98th world day of migrant and refugees.

“The colloquium represents a formal platform for both speakers to invest in the ethical education on migration governance and ethics” said Fr Maurizio Pettenà, National Director of ACMRO.

Bishop Joe Grech: Bishop Grech passed away in 2010. This colloquium is held in his honour.

“Both Church and Government have as their immediate interest, the wellbeing of the whole person and humanity. The complexity of migrant and refugee issues calls for reflection and dialogue” he said.

“The Catholic Church,(VS 3) ‘ expert in humanity’ can help focus in the reflections on the human being: their history, hopes and aspirations” said Fr Pettenà.

The colloquium will be held in Melbourne on Thursday 30th August 2012, from 7pm to 9pm, at Central Hall St Patricks Campus, Australian Catholic University, 24 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Fr Maurizio Pettenà please contact Joe Moloney on (02) 6201 9848.