“It is necessary to respond to the globalisation of migration with the globalisation of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane."
- Pope Francis
Who We Are
Catholics for Refugees was formed out of a meeting of
individuals, services and NGOs who came together to ask ourselves two
questions: What more can we do to support those who come to us seeking
protection? And what is the charism of the Catholic community in this dark
chapter of Australia’s history? We believe we have much to offer and that
working together will amplify the voices of all. We are proud to list all those
who helped form this movement and ask that anyone and everyone who wants to be
involved let us know so we can add your name below.
Fr. Peter Smith, Justice and Peace Promoter, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
Most Reverend Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Commission for Social Justice – Mission and Service, Bishop of Parramatta
Most Reverend Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Adelaide and Bishop of Port Pirie
Most Reverend Bishop Charles Gauci DD, Bishop of Darwin
Most Reverend Bishop Terence John Gerard Brady, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
Brother Peter Carroll FMS, President of Catholic Religious Australia (CRA); Provincial, Marist Brothers Province of Australia; Leader, Association of St. Marcellin Champagnat
Very Reverend Fr. Brian McCoy SJ, Provincial, Jesuit Province of Australia
Very Reverend Peter Jones OSA, Prior Provincial, Order of St. Augustine, Province of Australasia
Sr. Alice Foley OCD, Congregational Leader, Carmelite Nuns of Australia
Sr. Clare Nolan RSC, Congregational Leader, Sisters of Charity, Australia
Sr. Eveline Crotty, Institute Leader, Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and PNG
Sr. Jan Barnett rsj, Josephite Justice Coordinator, Josephite Justice Network of Australia
Sr. Louise McKeogh FMA, Provincial, Salesian Sisters, South Pacific Region
Sr. Mary-Louise Petro, Congregational Leader, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta
Sr. Monica Cavanagh rsj, Congregational Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart
Sr. Monica Walsh, Province Leader, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Australia-Aotearoa/New
Zealand
Sr. Patty Fawkner SGS, Provincial Leader, Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Australia
Sr. Stancea Vichie mss, Congregational Leader, Missionary Sisters of Service, Australia
Fr. Tom McDonough CP, Provincial Superior, Passionist Brothers of Australia
Fr. Brian Lucas, National Director, Catholic Mission
Dr. Cristina Lledo Gomez, Chair, Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC)
Kirsty Robertson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Caritas Australia
Toby Hall, Group Chief Executive Officer, St. Vincent’s
Health Australia
Tamara Domicelj, Director, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia; Co-Chair, Catholic
Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
Julie Edwards, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jesuit Social Services; Co-Chair, Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
Claire Victory, National President, St. Vincent De Paul Society National Council of Australia
Louise Miller Frost, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), St. Vincent De Paul Society (SA)
Jack de Groot, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), St. Vincent De Paul Society (NSW)
Joshua Lourensz, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV)
Miriam Pellicano, Executive Manager, House
of Welcome
Sr. Brigid Arthur csb, Founder and Coordinator, Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP)
Brian Lawrence, Chairperson, Australian Cardijn Institute
Helen Forde, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jesuit Mission
Phil Glendenning, Director, Edmund Rice Centre (ERC)
Richard Haddock, Chair, Mary Aikenhead Ministries
Fergus Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Centacare New England NorthWest, The
Social Services Agency of the Catholic Diocese of Armidale
Rebecca Bromhead, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Marist Solidarity Australia
Dr. Frank Malloy, National Director, Marist Schools Australia
Peter Loughnane, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Catholic Care – Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains
Mark Phillips, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Catholic Care – Sydney
John Lochowiak, Chairperson, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC)
Sr Louise Cleary csb, President, Australian Catholic Religious against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH)
Sr Brigitte Sipa, Regional Leader, Sisters of St Joseph Centre West Region
Sr Mary Clare Holland OP, Prioress, Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands
Cath Garner, Group Director, Cabrini Outreach
Sue Williams, Chief Executive Officer,
Cabrini Health
Wendy Hildebrand ibvm, Province Leader, Loreto
Sisters Australia & S.E. Asia Province
Libby Rogerson ibvm, Member, Loreto Justice
Network