The Illegal Migration Bill will now become law after a series of votes in the House of Lords failed to result in further modern slavery protections and child detention limits.
Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Paul McAleenan, says the Church will continue to ‘love the stranger’ and call for the expansion of safe routes for those fleeing their homes:
“This legislation stands at odds with the teaching of the Church on welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating refugees.
“Refugees are human beings made in the image and likeness of God, not a political problem to be solved. We must never make recognition of people’s dignity dependent upon where they come from or how they reach our country. The biblical call to love the stranger is unequivocal and indiscriminate.
“As a Church, we will continue to welcome those seeking sanctuary here and call for the expansion of safe routes. We urge our government to redouble its efforts to tackle factors such as conflict, persecution, and climate change that force people to flee their homes.”
Recent Posts
Congratulations to the Parish of Holy Family Southampton (Southampton Central Pastoral Area) which has been awarded a £20,000 grant by the Greendale Charitable Trust (https://www.greendalegroup.com/charitable-giving) that will ensure much-needed and [...]
The Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse is observed on Tuesday 30th April 2024. It is always marked on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter [...]
Critical Conversations into Critical Care Over 100 people from around the country packed into the auditorium of Winchester Arc Centre last Saturday for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth’s What does [...]
Father Johnpromise Umeozuru discusses the Closer to Christ campaign with parishioners at Holy Trinity, Church Crookham. Diocesan Fundraising Campaign breaks all records The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is celebrating the [...]