Nottinghamshire: Lampedusa Cross installed at Southwell church

A Lampedusa Cross, hand-carved from the driftwood of capsized refugee boats, is being displayed in the parish of Our Lady of Victories in Southwell in an act of solidarity with the plight of refugees.

The cross was presented to Reverend Andrew Harding at Mass on Saturday 19 September. This was then followed by a procession and an official installation of the cross in the church. Members of the local 'Churches Together' group attended and more than £100 was raised for the Nottingham refugee forum.

This event comes after the cross was taken on a tour of the Nottingham Diocese where special events were held.

The crosses acts as a symbol for communities in England and Wales as they respond to the refugee crisis. Parishioners from Nottingham and the surrounding areas have organised pilgrimages, with the cross, to show solidarity with the refugees arriving in the UK, as well as praying for those far from our shores.

As part of a campaign led by the Catholic charities CAFOD, CSAN and the Jesuit Refugee Service, each Catholic cathedral in England and Wales has been presented with a cross and invited to display it.

CAFOD representative in Southwell, Leslie McKenzie, said: "It was a lovely Mass at which parishioners prayed for those who are affected by the refugee crisis and remembered those who have lost their lives as a consequence. Lots of people came to spend a few moments at the cross, many people said what a powerful symbol it was and how it honoured those lost.

"Through the pilgrimage, we feel we are offering a welcome to the refugees arriving in the UK, as well praying for those far from our shores. We also feel we are answering the call of Pope Francis to show our love for those who are suffering."

To learn more, please visit http://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies/Refugee-Crisis-Appeal