An Augustinian Theology of Catholic Migrant Identity

Below is an excerpt from my presentation at Campion College in August entitled Scattered Home, which looked at the issue of Catholic migrant identity in light of Augustinian Theology. I am grateful to The Catholic Weekly for their invitation to present a portion of that presentation, with a fuller rendition coming soon to Church Life Journal.

In the English-speaking world, the church is increasingly a migrant reality. In the Australian context, the 2021 National Count of Attendance indicates that the proportion of those attending a non-English Mass has risen in proportion to overall Mass attendance. Though still a small proportion (13.5 per cent), it suggests that one in seven Catholics will come from a migrant background, with that number expected to rise.  

Migration has long been treated as a political football by political pundits of all stripes. Given the growing migrant presence within the church, the question facing us is how we can apprehend this trend without resorting to the same secular political discourses.  

In other words, how can Catholics understand the growing Catholic migrant presence theologically? 

In representing Vianney College Seminary at a presentation at Campion College, I suggested that the theology of St Augustine, centred as it is on the theme of love and desire, can help Catholics understand what is a reality for many migrants—their yearning for a home, a yearning which has led them to the doors of the church.  

When talking about migrant identity and Augustine, what is often brought up is the motif of the City of God sojourning as a pilgrim through the City of Man.  

I think something even more foundational is taking place theologically, which is summed up by…

See full version at The Catholic Weekly

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