Bishops on both sides of Channel appeal for fair treatment for refugees

Love Knows No Borders - Ecumenical vigil in Dover 20 June 2019

Source: Seeking Sanctuary

Anglican and Catholic bishops responsible for the coastline on both sides of the Channel issued the following urgent statement on World Refugee Day...

'We, the current leaders of churches alongside the English Channel, affirm the statement made by several of our predecessors at Calais in September 2015. Sadly, we find it necessary to repeat calls for people to respond to the challenge of listening to the strangers amongst us who are exiled from their homelands. These are fellow humans who deserve to be helped to find places where they can live in dignity and contribute to civil society.

'With sadness, we observe the lack of hope that drives people in distress to become exploited by traffickers and add to the profits of their illegal trade.

'We are heartened by those who generously offer financial and material support, time and skills, shelter and accommodation, whatever their religious conviction. They ignore the myths that lead to prejudice and fear that apparently prevent politicians from creating new and constructive policies that go beyond closing frontiers and employing more security staff. Their stories should be heard before decisions about their futures are announced.

'We urge all who gather in places of worship along the frontiers of European states to pray and gather information to support pleas for better treatment of all vulnerable men, women and children.

'For ourselves, we resolve to work to encourage residents to create a climate of welcome and understanding for strangers who share in the hopes and needs of all humanity.'

The message is signed by

Mgr Lode Aerts, Bishop of Bruges, Rt Revd Dr Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, Mgr Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Lille, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, Mgr Olivier Leborgne, Bishop of Arras, Boulogne-sur-& Saint-Omer and Most Rev John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark

Ben Bano and Phil Kerton of Seeking Sanctuary, who facilitated the statement, said: "Countless numbers of people fleeing persecution and violence are still subject to rejection and a hostile environment. In their joint statement the Bishops from the UK, France and Belgium have joined together to speak out against this injustice as well as calling on people of faith to show solidarity for the plight of the victims of persecution, war, and climate change."

LINK

Seeking Sanctuary - www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com