Migrant women in the Bible

On October 4 and 5, 2025, the Church will celebrate the Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees in conjunction with the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

On this occasion, WUCWO and its Observatory wish to share an executive summary prepared in collaboration with the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), the Knowledge Management Center, and its Socio-Anthropological and Pastoral Observatory, entitled “Migrant Women in Latin America and the Caribbean: from the perspective of pastoral agents who accompany them.”

Migrant Women in Latin America and the Caribbean [Spanish]

This document includes a theological-pastoral reflection on the care of migrant women in vulnerable situations, written by Carmem Lussi. Inspired by this valuable contribution, we present here a summary of her reflection:

Reflection for Women of Faith

Today, many women live through migration: they cross borders, seek better opportunities, flee violence, or strive to save their children. According to recent data, almost half of the world’s migrants are women. The Church invites us to see this reality with eyes of faith and open hearts.

It is not just about “helping,” but about accompanying and walking together. Pastoral care for migrant women must not victimize them or treat them merely as recipients of aid, but should recognise their strength, faith, and agency.

The Bible shows us that, from the very beginning, foreign women have played a central role in the history of salvation. They teach us ways to accompany today’s migrant women:

1. Hagar ( Gen 16:10–13)

A foreign slave, pregnant and fleeing, despised by her mistress. God calls her by name, hears her and sees her. She teaches us that God hears the cries of migrant women, and that our mission is to see them with dignity, not only as victims but as courageous women capable of deciding their own future.

2. The Ethiopian wife of Moses ( Num 12:1)

A foreign woman criticised and rejected for being different. She reminds us that, all too often, discrimination and racism deeply wound migrant women. The faith community is called to welcome diversity as a richness, not as a threat.

3. Ruth (Book of Ruth)

A foreign woman who supports her mother-in-law Naomi. Both widows, they sustain one another. An example of sisterhood: women supporting one another to survive. Likewise, today many migrant women find strength in other women of faith.

4. Esther (Book of Esther)

A young foreign woman who becomes a queen and bravely saves her people. She teaches the importance of female leadership and community action. Many migrant women today lead, organize, and care for their people.

5. Tamar ( Gn 38; Mt 1,3)

A foreigner and widow, a victim of injustice and abandonment. She fights for her dignity and succeeds in transforming her story. She reminds us of migrant women who suffer gender-based violence and seek justice. The Church must be at their side.

6. The Syrophoenician woman (Mk 7:24–30)

A foreign mother who pleads with Jesus for her sick daughter. With courage, she succeeds in moving Jesus to change his attitude and answer her request. She teaches us that the voice of migrant women can open new paths for faith and for the Church.

7. Priscila (Acts18,27; Rom 16,3-5)

A migrant woman and missionary. Together with her husband, she teaches the faith and supports Christian communities. She shows that migrants carry not only pain, but also faith, gifts, and mission.

Key messages for us today

• See in every migrant woman a face of God.

• Do not limit ourselves to offering only charity, but cultivate relationships of respect, listening, and mutual support.

• Recognize and strengthen the leadership of migrant women.

• Walk with them, learning from their faith, courage, and hope.

Like Hagar, Ruth, Esther, Tamar, the Syrophoenician woman, or Priscilla, today’s migrant women are teachers of faith and life. They call us to a Church that is more fraternal, sisterly, and open to the Spirit.

This is a summarized version of the theological-pastoral reflection by theologian Carmem Lussi in: Detalles de: Mujeres Migrantes en América Latina y el Caribe : desde la perspectiva de los agentes pastorales que las asisten: resumen ejecutivo / › CELAM : Biblioteca Cardenal Josef Höffner Koha . This work is the result of research conducted by WUCWO’s World Women’s Observatory (WWO) in collaboration with CELAM.