Cardinal Peter Turkson

The care of migrants and refugees coming to Australia is one of the most divisive issues in Australian public debate.

Pastoral care of migrants and refugees will be top of the agenda for the Church in Australia later this year as Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Orlando Quevedo from the Philippines arrive in Melbourne to give keynote speeches at a national conference on the issue.

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, an agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, will host this timely conference at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus, on July 19 and 20.

Cardinal Turkson will deliver a keynote address focusing on his role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development within the Roman Curia. The Dicastery is in effect a department to promote the care of vulnerable and marginalised people. The Ghanaian Cardinal will also reflect on his work with Pope Francis.

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo

Cardinal Quevedo will describe the pastoral models of care for migrants and refugees in our communities. He will also join a panel discussion about the pastoral care of migrants in a multi-ethnic church and whether one size fits all.

‘Cast Into the Deep’ is the theme of the Conference highlighted by Pope Francis’ call to go out to the margins of society and “cast into the deep” (Luke 5:4).

Fr Maurizio Pettena, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office said, “The dignity of the human person is central to our work as a Church agency. I hope that this conference will put the pastoral care of migrants and refugees firmly on the political agenda here in Australia. Over the two-day event, there will be many opportunities for debate with key stakeholders about the best way forward on this issue”.

Early bird registrations are now open until April 20 at, https://ors.eventsair.com/acmro-2017

The Conference provides an opportunity for delegates to reflect on the vital issue about how we treat people moving between countries. It will be of particular interest to overseas clergy, religious, migrant chaplains and those who work in the area of pastoral care within migrant communities.

A multi-cultural Mass and the launch of the annual migrant and refugee parish kit will be other highlights during the two-day conference.

All those who are passionate about our migrant communities are warmly invited to attend the Conference.