A South Korean Catholic delegation visited Timor-Leste as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Church and government for better protection and welfare of migrant communities. Source: UCA News.
A 12-member delegation of the Committee for Pastoral Care for Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea visited the tiny Catholic-majority nation from October 11-15, the conference said in a statement yesterday.
The delegation was led by Fr Hwang Seong-ho, the committee’s secretary general.
During this visit, the delegation visited Timor-Leste agencies and facilities entrusted with sending migrant workers abroad, including SEFOPE (National Secretariat for Vocational Training and Employment).
The delegates paid a visit to Cardinal VirgÃlio do Carmo da Silva, archbishop of Dili, in the national capital. They also made courtesy calls to President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.
They spoke with Church and government officials about the plight of Timor-Leste migrants in Korea and the support services migrants receive from the Church in Korea.
They also promised to improve pastoral care programs for Timor-Leste migrants.
Cardinal da Silva said he hoped to better things for Timorese migrants in Korea.
“I hope that through this journey, you will better understand the people of East Timor and, upon returning to Korea, will be even more hospitable to East Timorese workers,” Cardinal da Silva said.
During the visit on October 14, Mr Ramos-Horta thanked South Korea for employment and support for Timor-Leste workers in the country, which is home to about 7000 Timorese migrants.
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Korean and Timorese churches seek to improve migrant ministry (UCA News)
