Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for migration and asylum, has joined over 20 front-line facing organisations working with asylum seekers, refugees, and those with irregular immigration status in calling for a grant of a period of ‘leave to remain’ to those with insecure immigration status.

Bishop Paul said:

“I fully support the Jesuit Refugee Service and other charities in calling for a grant of leave to all with insecure immigration status during the current pandemic.

“One’s human dignity is the primary issue. In this crisis respect for human dignity demands that everyone without exception is given the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 and to receive medical treatment if necessary…”

Read full report on Independent Catholic News

22^nd April 2020

Complaint to OFCOM
Regarding:  Channel 4  –  Dispatches – ‘The Truth About Traveller Crime’
From: Justice & Peace Commission, Diocese of Westminster

I am writing on behalf of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster to add our voice in complaint about the Channel 4 ‘Dispatches’ programme – ‘The Truth about Traveller Crime’ – which was broadcast on Thursday, 16^th April 2020 at 9:00 pm. 

Within our Diocese, which covers most of metropolitan London and the county of Hertfordshire, there are many communities of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. Very many families in these ethnic minorities are Catholic and are well known to our priests and those providing pastoral care and practical support for them as an integral part of our diverse multicultural urban population.  

We have close knowledge of these ethnic groups and know how they feel keenly their marginalisation and discrimination by many in society. As Fr Dan Mason, National Catholic Chaplain for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, pointed out in his letter to you “almost every man, woman and child has suffered some form of hate and speech crime”. 

This programme was highly biased and sensationalist,  resulting in a grossly unbalanced and discriminatory picture of this unjustly marginalised group which Fr Dan Mason, the National Roman Catholic Chaplain  to the GRT Community, has already pointed out, “risks stoking racism against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities”.

Coming at a time when minorities in our society appear to be at greatest risk during this pandemic this was particularly irresponsible broadcasting. 

We would like to add our voice in requesting you to ask Channel 4 to apologise for this broadcast. 

With every best wish,

Yours Sincerely,

Fr Dominic Robinson, SJ
Chair, Justice & Peace Commission, Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster

• Report from Independent Catholic News April 17th, 2020

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Travellers’ Mass Westminster Cathedral 2018 – image ICN/JS

The Catholic Church has warned that last night’s Channel 4 Dispatches The Truth About Traveller Crime, risks stoking racism against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Fr Dan Mason, National Catholic Chaplain for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers said: “Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities make a valuable contribution to our society, yet face extraordinary levels of racism and discrimination. Almost every man, woman and child has suffered some form of hate speech or hate crime.”

Channel 4’s programme used sensationalist language, selective examples and dubious statistics which will only reinforce this prejudice. Such broadcasts would be dangerous and irresponsible at the best of times. Coming amid a national crisis, and a pandemic that’s hitting minority communities so hard, is particularly unacceptable.

Pope Paul VI reminded us that our GRT sisters and brothers are at the heart of the Church. We will continue to stand in solidarity with them.”

Earlier this month the Catholic Church in England and Wales called for solidarity with GRT communities during the COVID-19 pandemic: See: ICN 1 April 2020 COVID-19: Call for solidarity with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities www.indcatholicnews.com/news/39258