It is so disappointing that the Illegal Immigration Bill will now become law. It effectively closes the door to nearly all people who seek to claim asylum as they escape war or persecution.  Please consider signing this open letter to the Prime Minister organised by CAFOD and / or writing to your MP. The Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) website includes a template letter, instructions on how to find your MP and more details about the Bill if you wish to put together your own letter. Check how your MP voted and adjust your letter accordingly.

Also consider how you and your parish can respond. The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales have produced the document ‘Love the Stranger’. In the Diocese, we have groups that have welcomed families through the Community Sponsorship Scheme . You can find out more about this scheme by listening to Amina, from Reset UK at our recent Welcome the Stranger Webinar. Other parishes support those already here through the provision of hot food, essentials, and warm hospitality. We are here to help if you would like to set up a project or we can connect you with a current project if you would like to find out more. Email us at caritas@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Recent Posts

  • Sometimes even the most modest of funding can make the world of difference. This month, Becky's Café, at the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph's parish in Christchurch has been awarded [...]

  • Parishes across the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth will be holding Second Collections this Sunday 14th July to mark Sea Sunday. The Collections will be for Stella Maris (the Apostleship of [...]

  • The Diocese has been made aware by the States of Jersey police that one of our priests, Father Peter Glas, has been charged with 10 offences against a minor. The [...]

  • In the first audit of its safeguarding practice, the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth has received an overall assessment of ‘Results Being Achieved’ from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). ‍In [...]