By Fr Francis Bosco for BIS Mumbai

The National Migrant Workshop, a significant event held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Mumbai on August 16-17, provided a vital platform for the Don Bosco for Migrants Network (DB4M) to learn, share, and address the pressing challenges of the distressed migrants in India. The workshop saw active participation from DB4M representatives from all Indian provinces, including religious and Church bodies CCBI and CBCI, NGOs, and Trade Unions, fostering a diverse and collaborative environment.

The workshop commenced with a solemn Eucharist, a significant moment led by Father Ignatius Gari from the Guwahati Province, Father Sameer Minj, a Jesuit from Bangalore, and Father Maria Arockiadoss from Delhi. Their contributions, including Fr. Gari's homily on the importance of commitment and genuine support, and Fr Arockiadoss's reflective prayer, set a profound tone for the workshop. The inauguration ceremony also featured a prayer dance performed by girls from Prafulta.

The Provincial Fr Savio Silveira, Mumbai Province, welcomed participants, highlighting the workshop's alignment with St. John Bosco's birthday, and urged them to focus on whether to prioritize migrant settlers or the temporarily displaced, calling for clear strategies in the migrant ministry. He reflected on how Don Bosco was a migrant, performing small jobs to sustain himself. Father Santiagu, the Provincial of Salesian Province of Hyderabad (INH) and in charge of Young at Risk and Migrants Networks, praised the participants' commitment, emphasizing the need for a supportive and comforting approach, and encouraged the development of actionable plans.

In his keynote address, Bishop Alwyn D’silva referenced Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti and emphasized that we must become neighbours to migrants rather than deciding who our neighbours are. He stressed the importance of pastoral care for migrants, particularly those in low-skilled jobs who face exploitation and lack legal protections. Bishop D’silva also highlighted the need for the Church to accompany migrants in their faith journeys.

Father Francis Bosco, in charge of the South Asia Migrant Ministry, provided a historical overview of Don Bosco’s advocacy for migrants, detailing the development of the Young at Risk (YaR) seminars and SPCSA decisions that shaped the migrant ministry in India. He highlighted key strategies like the source-destination connect, migrant protection forums, helplines, data collection, networking, and advocacy efforts, all crucial in addressing the challenges faced by migrants across the country. Christine Nathan from the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) underscored the importance of a unified response from Church organizations and international bodies, emphasizing the need for fair labor practices and social justice for migrant families.

Participants engaged in insightful presentations and discussions throughout the two-day event, sharing successful strategies and identifying common challenges. The panel discussion highlighted various approaches employed by the provinces, showcasing their efforts in data collection, legal aid, education, and collaboration with government schemes. The representatives were: Fr George D’Breo - Mumbai, Fr Angel - Dimapur, Fr Saji Elemmbersil - Kerala, Fr Maria Arockiadoss - Delhi, Fr Deepu Mathew - Karnataka, Mr Rintu - Kolkata, Fr Simolin - Chennai, Fr Aruldoss - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, Sr Pramila Lobo, UFS - Nagaland, Fr Jose Sequera - Goa, Sr Lissama Joseph, MSMHC - Assam, Fr Ignatius Gari and Fr Albert Thrymiang -Gauhati.