Migration Mapping Project
Purpose
CSAN commissioned the Von Hugel Institute to map all those within the Church community working with migrants to identify those within the Catholic community working with the following groups:
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Settled migrant communities (eg. African-Caribbean, Italian, Portuguese, Philippino, Polish, etc)
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Migrants from the new accession countries
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Undocumented migrants
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Refugees and asylum seekers
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Victims of trafficking (labour and sex trade)
The project was overseen by a steering group including: + William Kenney, Mgr Andrew Summersgill (CBCEW), Philippa Gitlin (CSAN), John Joseet (Senior Policy Advisor CBCEW), Margaret-Ann Fisken (Migration Commissioner, Caritas Europa), Francis Davis (Von Hugel Institute), Cecilia Taylor Camara (CARJ), and representatives of the Apostleship of the Sea, the Ethnic Chaplaincies, and the Conference of Religious.
Members wishing to obtain a copy of the report can send a request to the CSAN office.
Research summary
The National Mapping Report aimed to quantify, assess and understand the scope and nature of formal Catholic agencies supporting newcomers to the country. Included are examples of good practice in localities across England and Wales.
The report concludes that the international nature of the Catholic Church has meant that it is able to respond to the new movement of people, including migrant workers or those seeking refuge in the UK. Findings show that migration, asylum and refugee issues are not 'add on' options to the Church, and are now core of almost every deanery. However, migration impacts on every diocese and more than half of all deaneries surveyed and yet it does not register on the vision or strategy of many.
The report highlights the following for the Church:
- The need for networking
- The need for training
- The need for advocacy and funding
- The need for sharing good practice
- Above all, the need for strategy
Conclusions and next steps
The task rests with the Church to review its skills, assets and plans in light of the Mapping Report research, in order to respond to a need that will, by all accounts, continue to increase.
A major step in this direction has been the development of Patoral Guidelines by Bishop Patrick Lynch.
Caritas is planning follow up work on migration issues highlighted in the report.
Key Contact
Philippa Gitlin
CSAN
39 Eccleston Square
London SW1V 1BX
Tel: 0207 901 4875
Email: philippa.gitlin@cbcew.org.uk
