Office for Refugees (ORAT)
office for refugees
Archdiocese of Toronto
Since its beginning in 1979, and its latter establishment as an office of the Archdiocese, ORAT has been able to help thousands of refugees find a new home in Canada. Their work saves the lives of countless innocent victims of war, violence and persecution.
A refugee does not have to be Roman Catholic or a Christian to be resettled through ORAT. However, in light of the tremendous persecution faced by Christians in many parts of the world, and the under-representation of Christian refugees in the resettlement efforts of western governments, ORAT’s efforts are particularly focused on assisting Christian refugees. To that end, it has worked closely with both Eastern Rite and Orthodox churches, whose communities have been deeply affected by the global refugee crisis.
ORAT trains, equips, and guides those who wish to sponsor a refugee. They also engage and guides members of Catholic parishes, religious orders and community groups who wish to play an active role in the resettlement of refugees; they oversee the settlement of refugees that have been sponsored, ensuring that proper care and support is being provided to them; and conduct mission trips to identify refugees who have no hope of being resettled.
The Christian Refugee Relief Director encourages councils, members and their parishes to help Christian refugees by donating to ORAT to ensure that these refugees from the Middle East and elsewhere are resettled to Canada where they are able to begin a new life in freedom and safety.
In Matthew Chapter 2, Jesus' family was forced to flee from King Herod, who had ordered that all the baby boys in their hometown be murdered. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt, where they were probably regarded as asylum seekers.
Donate to: Knights of Columbus Ontario Charity Foundation, write in the memo part ORAT Office for Refugees. Mention your address and email (Tax receipts will be issued). Send your cheques by post to this address: Ontario Christian Refugee Relief Director, 6428 Yonge Street, Centerpoint 37150, Toronto, Ontario, M2M 4J8.
