NJPN Blog: How can we create an 'ever wider We'?

Celia Capstick
Jul 10th, 2021

Celia Capstick

How can we respond to the UK Government's New Plan for Refugees and Asylum Seekers by challenging the current hostile system using Catholic Social Teaching as a basis and putting the 'we' back into community?

Cecile is one of the women asylum seekers quoted by Sarah Teather, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK), in her foreword to their new report 'Being Human in the Asylum System'. Cecile describes how on arrival in UK she was interviewed by two "really kind women", a kindness which hid the traps. She told them everything but two weeks later she got the refusal letter. They did not believe her story because, "the dates I gave were not exact…..I was so confused myself I couldn't give the exact date."

Others are rejected because they can't produce papers, sometimes in a very short time scale. Joel, fleeing from a conflict zone, reports being fast-tracked into detention and disbelieved because he could not produce evidence to corroborate his story mainly because he was in detention. Six long years later he was finally granted asylum. There is a deliberate culture of hostility, suspicion, disbelief and degrading treatment applied throughout the process which will only be worsened by some of the provisions in the new Nationality and Borders Bill now going through Parliament.

In her address to members of the National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW) at a zoom meeting on 6 July, Sarah Teather urged everyone to challenge this Bill. It was a call to arms. She graphically described the worsening conditions with which refugees and asylum seekers, some of the most vulnerable people in society, fleeing horrendous situations, are met with in the UK. Already traumatised by conflict or violence they come here seeking sanctuary to face what one refugee described as torture all over again. Sarah's picture of the Napier Barracks, where many are now held, was chilling. It is unfit for human habitation. The system implies that refugees are 'illegal' from the start and the new legislation, if it is passed, will make that worse. Already the deliberate complexity of the claim process leads many to despair, self-harm or suicide. It is likely that it contravenes the UN 1951 Refugee Convention.

JRS UK has always espoused Catholic Social Teaching, with its emphasis on everyone being created in the image of God and as such to be given hope, justice and dignity throughout the process of claiming asylum or refugee status. JRS UK does this through hospitality, advocacy and befriending. They call their clients 'friends' and that signals a two-way relationship in which both mutually benefit. The report, 'Being Human in the Asylum System,' can be read at www.jrsuk.net. They have listened to the personal experience of those using the current system and imagined an approach which puts "the human person at the centre". It promotes a society founded in justice where protection, integration, support and borders which are open to those needing protection make up the four core principles.

Pope Francis, writing in 'Fratell Tutti' is quoted throughout: the universal destination of goods means that all the goods of the earth should be shared; the worth of an individual is absolute, no one is superfluous or lacking in value. To see an immigrant as a threat has become UK national policy and this is directly contrary to Catholic Social Teaching which holds they have a right to share in a country's resources. We may also be complicit in creating the very conflict situations from which a refugee might be fleeing, such as supplying arms to a country which uses them to subdue a population or promote terror.

As Christians, what can and should we do? Challenging this Bill and the whole hostile atmosphere of the current system must be a priority. Writing and meeting with our local MPs, together with general lobbying tactics, especially while the Bill is going through Parliament, is a start. We can also support the coalition of refugee organisations, such as 'Together with Refugees' and the work of JRS, including befriending refugees and asylum seekers through, for example, providing accommodation or telephone conversations. We can hold parish meetings to raise awareness and try to change public opinion by tackling the press which supports anti- immigrant feelings. More suggestions are on the JRS UK website.

Finally, we can pray for a change of heart both by this government and the general population. In May, Pope Francis promoted this prayer to be said ahead of the World Day for Migrants and Refugees on 26 September 2021. It is a cause close to his heart.

Holy beloved Father,

Your Son Jesus taught us

That there is great rejoicing in heaven

Whenever someone lost is found,

Whenever someone excluded, rejected or discarded

Is gathered into our 'we'

Which thus becomes ever wider.

We ask you to grant the followers of Jesus,

And all people of good will,

The grace to do your will on earth.

Bless each act of welcome and outreach

That draws those in exile