Church Leaders Meet to Respond to Migrants' Needs Across Europe

(RV - 30 April 2010) Church leaders and migration experts from 36 bishops conferences across East and Western Europe are meeting in Malaga this week to discuss ways of providing a more effective response to the needs of millions of people on the move across the continent.

Participants at the 5 day meeting are looking at the vital role of parish communities in responding to the short and long-term needs of refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants.

Bishop Patrick Lynch is the Chair of the Office of Migration and Refugee Policy of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.  He says the Church must work for the social and ecclesial integration of migrants.