CHRISTMAS Island’s asylum seekers, many having fled traumatic situations in their home countries, will soon have more structured pastoral care from the Church.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference delegate for refugee and migrant issues Bishop Joseph Grech said the Church was planning a more constant pastoral presence with a roster of priests for the immigration detention centre there.
The decision, made in response to increasing numbers of boat people being taken to the island, follows discussions between Perth archdiocese, which includes Christmas Island, and Catholic refugee assistance bodies including the Jesuit Refugee Service Australia.
Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office director Scalabrinian Father Maurizio Pettena will soon be visiting the island to update information on pastoral needs there.
Late last year, the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia formed a partnership with JRS Australia to provide pastoral services for asylum seekers at Christmas Island.
In a story on the Mercy Sisters’ national website Mercy Sister Maureen Lohrey, who recently returned from a two-month placement on the island, spoke of hearing “terrible stories” from detainees who have come from many countries including Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Iraq and Sri Lanka.
Marist Father Jim Carty is on the island having taken over from Perth priest Fr Armando Carandang who had spent five weeks there.
Bishop Grech said Fr Carty, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with refugees, would be leaving Christmas Island the week after Easter.
An as yet unnamed Jesuit priest with extensive experience in pastoral care with refugees in detention situations will take over from Fr Carty.
“Obviously a more structured presence is needed to support the pastoral needs of the asylum seekers being detained on the island,” Bishop Grech said.
“This is why a roster of priests is being arranged.”
Recent reports have indicated that the immigration detention on Christmas Island has reached almost bursting point with the arrival earlier this month of the 24th asylum-seeker boat this year.
There are only 151 spare beds for a facility designed for 800 but now accommodating 2042 people. This year 1121 asylum seekers have arrived.
Numbers of Catholic asylum seekers are difficult to ascertain. However, two Masses are held each Sunday – one at the community centre is regularly attended by about 80 people and another at the detention centre draws about 35 worshippers.
Christmas Island’s Catholic community is also providing pastoral support.
The priests’ work is very well received by all on the island, including the authorities, Bishop Grech said.
“The presence of the Catholic Church is a true pastoral presence, not only to Catholics, but to all people regardless of their belief.
“People just come up and want to talk about their lives.
“Priests have an excellent opportunity to bring peace, harmony and social cohesion to a difficult situation.
“Some asylum seekers are getting impatient and talk of acts of defiance.
“(Father) Jim (Carty) has advised on several occasions this is not going to help and that patience is best.”
Bishop Grech said the Australian Government had been very supportive of this “difficult pastoral mission” even as far as making available a seat on flights to the island several times.
Sr Lohrey, in the story on the Mercy Sisters’ website, said she was frustrated by “the fear-mongering, sensationalism and negativity of some Australians about the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country by boat”.
“We have no idea of their suffering,” she said.
“All they want to do is get their families out and have a life. Their way to get to freedom and a life is unbelievable. You’d have to have nerve and courage beyond anything to attempt what these people have attempted.”
