MANILA, Nov. 1, 2009—A formation program on Church’s teachings regarding the phenomenon of migration was held at the Jesuit Retreat House in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last Oct. 18-24.

Among the topics tackled in the program were migration in Asia today; networking and planning future programs on the care of migrants and specific issues in the care of migrants in Asia.

The program not only intended to instill Church teachings on migration but also assess various programs set by the Church on migration.

It also aimed to encourage discussions among workers in the migration apostolate from various parts of the world.

Among those who participated in the formation activity were migrants’ advocates from the provinces of Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Malaybalay, La Union, Leyte and Negros Occidental.

Delegates from the Center for Overseas Workers also participated as well as pastoral workers working for migrants from Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Resource speakers from the academe, Church, and non-government organizations provided the facts and other information s on the presented topics.

The program which was dubbed as “Exodus: A Formation Week for Pastoral Workers with Migrants in Asia” was headed and directed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI).

The said program was established in 2000 and first conducted by the Scalabrini Migration Center, a non-profit research institute that is committed to support and assist in the study of religious aspects of human migration in Asia. (Kate Laceda)