The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Launches New National Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility) and Begins Recruitment for National Coordinator

Monday, July 06 2026

Ottawa – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has established the Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility), a new national initiative that will strengthen the Catholic Church’s pastoral response to migrants, refugees, and other people affected by human mobility across Canada. The CCCB is seeking a National Coordinator to lead the Service during its three-year pilot and establish a national network supporting dioceses and eparchies.

Approved by the CCCB’s Permanent Council, the Service will serve as a national point of reference for dioceses, eparchies, parishes, religious communities, Catholic organizations, pastoral workers, and volunteers engaged in this growing area of ministry.

The Church’s pastoral response does not replace the state’s responsibility, nor does it equate accompaniment with advocacy for unrestricted migration. Rather, the Church’s pastoral response addresses the reality that people who have migrated or sought refuge are already part of our communities. Many face human, spiritual, and pastoral needs that extend beyond government programs. The Church has an important role in helping them experience welcome, belonging, and accompaniment.

Rooted in the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and guided by Catholic Social Teaching, the Service seeks to promote human dignity, compassion, social cohesion, and the common good. It does so by supporting the Church’s pastoral accompaniment of those who have migrated or sought refuge in Canada.

The Service adopts a broad understanding of “human mobility,” recognizing the diverse realities of those it serves. These include seasonal workers, temporary foreign workers, refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, international students, and others whose migration or displacement places them in vulnerable situations.

The Service aims to strengthen and connect existing diocesan and eparchial initiatives by:

A Three-Year Pilot Focused on Listening and Collaboration

The Service is being introduced as a three-year pilot that will be developed in collaboration with dioceses, eparchies, and Catholic partners nationwide. It will focus on listening to local experience, building relationships, and establishing a network to support and strengthen human mobility ministry.

The pilot will be regularly evaluated to assess the needs of the Church in Canada, measure the Service’s impact, and determine its long-term future.

Recruitment Underway for Founding National Coordinator

As the first step in establishing the Service, the CCCB has launched the recruitment process for its inaugural National Coordinator.

The successful candidate will lead in building a national network, supporting dioceses and eparchies, coordinating pastoral resources and formation opportunities, responding to enquiries, fostering collaboration among Catholic partners, and helping identify emerging pastoral needs related to migration and human mobility.

This unique opportunity is intended for a qualified individual with experience in pastoral ministry, migration, refugee issues, Catholic social teaching, or related fields, and who is committed to serving the Church’s mission of accompanying people on the move.

Individuals interested in contributing to this important national initiative are encouraged to apply.

About the CCCB

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Catholic Bishops in Canada who currently hold office. It was founded in 1943 and officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948.

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Media requests:
Pomeline Martinoski
Director of Communications
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Email: communications@cccb.ca
Telephone: 613-241-9461, ext. 225