Partners Join Hands to Reach Out to the Migrants

BY DS 

L-R : Jellferlyne, Theresa Symons, Sr Barbara rgs, Dominic Lim, Bishop Julius,
Romo Nikolaus, Sr Maria rgs, Sr Lidwina rgs, Francis Tan

Sandakan : The 3rd pastoral meeting between the Diocese of Sandakan, Larantuka, Tanjung Selor and the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu was held on 22nd - 24th October 2013 in Larantuka, Flores, Indonesia. Some six months later, a meeting was held at the Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral Centre, on 22nd April 2014 to discuss on some important and urgent aspects in extending pastoral care to migrants and itinerants in each receiving diocese in Sabah. 

The meeting, presided by Bishop Julius was well attended. Seven out of the nine delegates to the 3rd pastoral meeting in Larantuka were present; Bishop Julius, Francis Tan, Sr Maria Dipal rgs from the Diocese of Sandakan, Dominic Lim from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Sr Lidwina rgs, Sr Barbara Lip rgs and Theresa Symons from Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd (PKGS). Also present in the meeting were Jellferlyne from PKGS and Romo Nikolaus from Larantuka who is on a pastoral mission to the diocese.

The meeting was fruitful, focused on how to respond to the final joint statement by the sending, transit and receiving dioceses, adpoted in Larantuka. Members were committed to attend to some urgent pastoral concern on alleviating the plights of the migrants especially on the administration of the sacraments. Our attention to their struggles is an effort to uphold the values of humanity and respect for the value of huam life in God's image. (Imago Dei)