In 1985, the Missionaries of St. Charles - Scalabrinians initiated a service of welcome and hospitality for all kinds of migrants, deportees, and refugees, opening the first Casa del Migrante [Shelter for Migrants] in Tijuana. This shelter was followed by others in Ciudad Juárez, Chih. - Tecún Umán in Guatemala - Tapachula, Chis. - Ciudad de Guatemala - and Agua Prieta, Sonora.

The Casas del Migrante [Shelters for Migrants] are welcome centers where room and board are provided, together with pastoral care, orientation, first medical assistance, defense and promotion of human rights.

The Network of Scalabrini "Casas del Migrante" began in December of 1999 through the initiative of the Missionaries of St. Charles - Scalabrinians, who were in charge of the Casas del Migrante. With the publication of the document, "El Clamor de los Indocumentados" (The Cry of the Undocumented) as a Jubilee Year message (March 2000), this new organization was officially launched. The purpose of these was to help the various Casas del Migrante carry out a joint pastoral care of the migrants, while working together with other organizations and churches for the total promotion of the migrants, in their human, cultural, social and spiritual needs.

The Casa del Migrante in Nuevo Laredo is the seat of the network and is therefore the operational center for the initiatives and proposals that are officially sent out for the pastoral care. It is also the prophetic voice speaking on behalf of our migrant brothers and sisters.

Red Casas del Migrante
Fr. Francisco Pellizari, General Coordinator
http://www.migrante.com.mx/index.php

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it