Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo

Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo
Msgr. Vitillo in 2016
Occupation	Secretary general at International Catholic Migration Commission

Msgr. Robert Joseph Vitillo (New Jersey, 1946) is the Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC). Prior to that, Msgr. Vitillo has served in various high level functions in Catholic charitable agencies, including Caritas Internationalis and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. A trained social worker, he is known for his broad expertise on human migration and refugee services, child protection, social services, human rights, HIV/AIDS and global health.

Born in New Jersey (United States of America) in 1946, Msgr. Vitillo completed undergraduate studies at Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and then pursued graduate studies in theology and psychology at Catholic University of America (Washington D.C.). In 1976, he received a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey, with concentrations in clinical social work and management.

During the 1980s, Msgr. Vitillo served as Director of the multi-service Catholic Charities agency in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, where he also coordinated the resettlement of Southeast Asian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Haitian and Cuban refugees to the United States. Between 1986 and 1995, Msgr. Vitillo held different positions with Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based Confederation of 165 national Catholic humanitarian assistance, social and health service, and development programs in all regions of the world. There he first served as Head of Service for North America and Europe; during that time, he helped to establish many new Caritas organizations in Eastern and Central Europe. He later served as Director of Programs and then as International Delegate to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and to the World Bank in Washington, D.C..