Fr Chathura’s service supporting migrants and refugees

Launceston Assistant Priest Fr Chathura Ranmuni Silva is looking forward to providing help and support to migrants and refugees.

Fr Chathura was ordained a priest last year for the Archdiocese of Hobart. In addition to his parish duties, Fr Chathura has also just been appointed as Assistant Chaplain for Migrants and Refugees, with particular responsibility for northern Tasmania.

Fr Chathura explained that it was a new role within the Archdiocese and that Vicar General Fr Shammi Perera, would continue as Archdiocesan Chaplain for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

“The role involves working with the students in schools, and with [personnel in] Catholic Education Tasmania,” he said.

“[Part of] my role is to make sure that refugee and asylum seeker families get support when they are enrolling in the school and get follow up help with translation, language support etc.

“It will also [involve] working with migrant families and students in the parishes.”

Fr Chathura added that he is still new to the role, he is still learning about all it entails and what the best ways to approach it would be.

Fr Chathura’s new role is in addition to the programs and policies that Catholic Education Tasmania already had in place to support and welcome students from different religious, cultural and language backgrounds.