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
Bournemouth Oratory Sacred Heart Church in the heart of the town centre serves a demographically diverse community with specific issues around poverty, homelessness and social isolation, which presents several distinct [...]
In last year’s Annual Report, we featured news of the creation of a Refugee Sanctuary Hub at St Peter’s Church, Winchester. The Hub was born out of parishioner response to [...]
Walking outdoors has proven long-term improvements for emotional and mental health, as well as bringing about a reduced risk of depression and higher levels of happiness and self-esteem. Coinciding with [...]
Across the Philippine archipelago, a tradition known as Flores de Mayo, a daily offering of flowers to Mary is observed throughout the month of May. Typically, the celebration culminates with [...]
