Igreja/Sociedade: Diretora da Obra Católica Portuguesa de Migrações reforça «apelo de responsabilidade a vários níveis» no acolhimento de migrantes e refugiados

Eugénia Quaresma, director of the Portuguese Catholic Work for Migrations (OCPM), urged pastoral communities to welcome and integrate migrants and refugees, particularly minors. Speaking to Agência Ecclesia, Quaresma noted that the responsibility for welcoming these individuals belongs to both specialized institutions and local Church communities.

Quaresma highlighted the arrival of migrant children in parishes as the new catechesis season begins. She stated that the Church has an obligation to ensure these children are not excluded or left aside by established members of the group.

The director described the responsibility of welcoming as functioning at multiple levels. On a personal level, she called for individuals to listen to specific stories and approach others with a Christian perspective. At the ecclesial level, she encouraged communities to act as places of welcome rather than leaving migrants to handle their own integration. These comments come ahead of the upcoming World Day.