Bishop Paul McAleenan
As the Catholic Church in England and Wales marks the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on 4–5 October 2025, Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, has called on Christians to embrace migrants with empathy, understanding, and active support.
The 2025 observance comes during the Jubilee of Migrants with the theme “Migrants, missionaries of hope.” Bishop McAleenan said the theme reflects the resilience and faith that many migrants bring to communities despite enduring hardship and displacement.
Acknowledging the realities of forced migration caused by conflict, persecution, poverty, and climate change, the Bishop stressed that while migration is as old as human history, today’s pressures demand greater solidarity and compassion.
In his message, Bishop McAleenan highlighted the tension between patriotism and humanitarian duty, warning against nationalism that breeds hostility towards vulnerable people.
“Our obligation is to try and understand why migrants appear among us; our duty is to care for those who seek refuge in our country,” he said.
The Bishop praised parish communities, schools, clergy, and volunteers who continue to stand alongside migrants and refugees, describing their efforts as a “powerful testimony to hope and faith in action.”
Bishop McAleenan concluded his message with a prayer that Mary, Solace of Migrants, may guide and strengthen all those on the move in search of safety and a better life.
