Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

We, the staff of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, dedicate our efforts towards the acceptance and settlement of Refugees and Migrants into Australia. We do this especially by our efforts to influence Government policies in this area. We also seek to form Catholic Church policy in Australia for the Pastoral Care of Refugees and Migrants. Refugees and asylum seekers merit our special consideration. We undertake this special service in their regard, irrespective of their creed or origin. Within our capacity and limited resources, we commit ourselves to this mission of care and support in every possible way. We believe that this work reflects the Church's universal compassion for those in need. Christ himself, and his Vicars on earth (the Popes),have often told us this. On October 21, 1993, Pope John Paul II said: " The Church's social teaching supports the dignity and rights of people on the move and demands that adequate solutions be found for the suffering that forces people to flee their homes. It also demands that governments protect and care for foreigners in their nations.