Merseyside churches issue guide on welcoming refugees

A guide to working with refugees and asylum seekers, written by Liverpool's Justice and Peace Commission in conjunction with other church leaders has been published this week.

Welcoming the Stranger - is intended for churches and other groups to help them find a way to respond positively to the refugee crisis. With easy to read sections and important factual information the guide busts myths that have grown up to describe this national and global crisis. Importantly the document offers clear guidance and support to help church communities, and others, offer practical help as they seek to welcome the stranger.

Liverpool Justice and Peace worker Steve Atherton told ICN: "It is a cooperative venture by the churches in Liverpool and is going out under the CTMR banner (that's churches together in the Merseyside region).

"The guide is being distributed at the Mass of Chrism at both cathedrals and then generally across the two dioceses and to the other churches. "We think it fills a need because it puts some clarity into the SEE part of the pastoral cycle and we are delighted with the response it is receiving," he said.

The guide can be read at: www.liverpoolasyluminfo.org.uk/