A commitment to the pastoral care of migrants in Greece

The Catholic Church remains committed to welcoming migrants who arrive in Greece, initially within the Aegean islands and then continuing to Athens.

At the forefront is Caritas Hellas’s President, Anna Maria Stella Foskolou, and Director, Maria Alverti. Initially a small operation, Caritas Hellas has grown in recent years in response to the challenges of the 2015 migration crisis, with migrants arriving primarily from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq to the Aegean islands, particularly the island of Lesvos.

Caritas Hellas places significant emphasis on providing support and integration opportunities to migrants arriving in the country. It offers tailored psychological support programs, focused on the mental well-being of migrants who have undergone arduous journeys and cultural displacement, and prioritizes creating safe and welcoming environments, particularly for women, to help them feel at home away from their countries of origin.

Caritas Hellas also supports migrant integration into the Greek social fabric, through vocational activities, adult education projects, and language courses.

Franciscans in Rhodes

On another Aegean island is Rhodes and the presence of Father Luke Gregory, ofm. Fr Luke is a Franciscan Friar of the Custody of the Holy Land and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Rhodes. For 18 years, Fr Luke has been the pastor of the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos, welcoming thousands of refugees who arrive after fleeing wars, poverty, and violence.

Due to conflicts in the Middle East, there has been a notable increase in the number of refugees arriving on the Greek islands. Fr Luke has been actively involved in providing a warm welcome to all without discrimination. Their needs, including refreshments, food, hygienic products, children’s toys, and clothing, are being met with empathy and compassion to address the challenges and hardships faced by many women, children and men.

Providing a supportive presence, comforting words and warm smiles alleviates the suffering of individuals fleeing the ravages of war. The journey of migration in pursuit of loved ones and improved prospects is undeniably challenging, with fear often becoming an enduring companion. However, upon reaching a new homeland, migrants are met with friendly faces, outstretched hands, and a welcoming embrace rooted in the Christian principle of goodwill.