Vatican official calls for greater local clergy involvement in migrant ministry

Fr. Avelino Chico SJ, head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has called for more local priests to participate in the Catholic Church's pastoral work with migrants and refugees in South Africa.

During a visit to Johannesburg and Durban, Fr. Chico met with diocesan coordinators for migrants and refugees to observe Catholic initiatives serving people on the move. While expressing encouragement for the commitment shown by coordinators, Fr. Chico told the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference communication office that the small number of local clergy present suggested a need for greater involvement to strengthen the Church's response.

Fr. Chico also suggested that South Africans should work alongside migrants and refugees in pastoral ministry to change the narrative surrounding people on the move.