2nd Conference of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerants (EMI)

Penang : The Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants  (EMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference  of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei held its 2^nd conference at Stella Maris, Penang on 23^rd – 25^th April 2010 attended by 18 Commission members and appointed consultants from the following arch/dioceses;

• Kuching archdiocese
• Kuala Lumpur archdiocese
• Singapore archdiocese
• Kota Kinabalu archdiocese
• Penang Diocese
• Melaka-Johor diocese
• Sandakan diocese
• Keningau diocese

The conference on Friday, April 23^rd 2010 began with presentation of reports from the participating dioceses, giving an insight into the different scenario of the plight of the migrants and itinerants.

The Opening Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Anthony, Bishop of the Penang Diocese, Bishop Paul Tan, Bishop of the Melaka-Johor Diocese and also the President of EMI, Fr Simon Poh of Kuching Archdiocese and Fr Benedict of Keningau Diocese.

On Saturday, April 24^th 2010, Commission members and the appointed Consultants discussed at length future EMI plans from April 2010 – March 2011 touching on formation program, roles of the media and resource materials. 

Joachim Xavier, the Chairperson of EMI from the Penang Diocese, presented a paper on 'The Penang Diocesan Migrant Ministry (PDMM) Experience' which gave an overview of the services and activities carried out in 2009, the challenges and the hopes of PDMM.

Towards the later part of the day, participants were deeply engaged in group discussions paving the way to establish networking with other dioceses.

On the final day of the conference, Sunday, April 25^th 2010, participants deliberated on the Diocesan Migrant Ministry guidelines and EMI constitution.

The EMI Executive Committee line up for 2010-2011 is as follows;

• President         -       Bishop Paul Tan  (Bishop of the Melaka Johor Diocese)
• Chairperson     -      Joachim Xavier (Penang Diocese)
• V-Chairperson -      Fr Simon Poh (Kuching Archdiocese)
• Secretary         -      Josephine Tey (KL Archdiocese)
• Treasurer         -      Ken Chua (Melaka Johor Diocese)
• Committee       

                  Francis Tan (Sandakan Diocese)

                       Dominic Lim (KK Archdiocese)

                       Josephine Chua (Melaka Johor Diocese)

                       Sr Angelina RGS (Melaka Johor Diocese)

• Consultants 

                      Media -  Diana (Kuching Archdiocese)

                      Formation – Cheryl Lee (KL Archdiocese)

                      Resource – Patrick Neo (Singapore Archdiocese)

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