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Day of Prayer - Refugees

A Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants is set aside each year to fall as close as possible to World Refugee Day on 20 June. Caritas prepares resources for this Day on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Asylum seekers, who fled from persecution, violence and situations that put their life at risk, stand in need of our understanding and welcome, of respect for their human dignity and rights, as well as awareness of their duties.

Pope Benedict XVI: Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2012

Pray for refugees and migrants - 17 June

In 2012, the Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants falls on Sunday 17 June.

More than 10 million people are refugees worldwide. They have crossed borders to escape persecution because of their race, religion, political belief or social group.

More than twice as many – 27.5 million people – live as Internally Displaced People. Many fled homes for similar reasons to refugees, but have not crossed an international border.

New Zealand accepts 750 refugees each year for resettlement from the places where they first sought asylum. We also accept a very small number of asylum seekers each year. Both quota refugees and asylum seekers are refugees under the Refugee Convention.

Download full notes and resources for the Day of Prayer through the links below.

Action Alert: Immigration Amendment Bill 2012

As we prepare to celebrate the Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants this year, the government is considering a legislative change which would allow the detention of asylum seekers who arrive in groups. Caritas has serious concerns about this and other policy changes. Please consider writing a letter opposing the mandatory detention of asylum seekers. Read more here.