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March 23, 2016

Archdiocese looking for huge jump in refugee sponsorships

A group of migrants from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, on their way to seek asylum in Germany or Austria, walk along the frozen route from the border between Serbia and Macedonia to a temporary camp for migrants. The Archdiocese of Toronto has applied to sponsor another 4,000 refugees this year.

The Archdiocese of Toronto is asking Ottawa for the chance to sponsor another 4,000 refugees over the coming year, said Martin Mark, director of the refugee office.

Published in Canada: Toronto-GTA
October 28, 2015

Project Hope already making a difference for refugees

Jamie Forget, right, a volunteer with the ORAT, takes documents for the potential resettlement for a refugee family.

TORONTO - More than 105 refugee families fleeing unrest in the Middle East will be arriving in Canada in the next three to four months through the efforts of Project Hope.

Published in Canada
May 4, 2015

Catholics join efforts to save Yezidi

Hundreds of Yezidis took to Toronto streets last summer to call attention to the plight of minorities under Islamic State rule.

TORONTO - For Ghina Al-Sewaidi — lawyer, Muslim and Iraqi-Canadian — the correct word to describe Islamic State attacks on Yezidi and Mandaean people is genocide. The correct response is to sponsor the survivors through Canada’s refugee system.

Published in Canada
January 25, 2015

A refugee is always an outsider

Gillian Fernandopulle left her Sri Lankan homeland as a refugee at age six. Despite being in Canada for the past 20 years, she says being a refugee is something that never leaves you.

TORONTO - At 20 Tarak has been divorced from everything — his family, his home, his childhood and a future that once seemed assured.

Published in Canada
January 13, 2015

Catholic sponsors set to answer call as Canada to take in 13,000 refugees

Syrian refugees warm themselves around a fire Dec. 3 in Ankara, Turkey. Martin Mark, right, executive director of Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto welcomes Canada’s pledge to bring in more refugees from the Middle East, but wished the government had consulted with refugee advocates before making its announcement.

TORONTO - Catholic refugee sponsors stand ready to do their part in bringing 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, but they want to hear more from the federal government about its plans.

Published in Canada