By Amy Smith, Westminster Justice and Peace Communications Volunteer
Today, 22nd April, is Earth Day – an annual event that shines a light on the serious environmental issues that our world is facing and what actions we can take as individuals and organisation to keep temperature rises below 1.5 C and promote a greener future.
It involves a wide range of events involving 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
The official theme for 2022 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’.
Every Earth Day can drive a year of energy, enthusiasm and commitment to create a new plan of action for our planet.
Earth Day works in countries around the world to drive meaningful action for our planet across a range of issues. For more information on the campaigns and to find out what is happening in your area this Earth Day: https://earthday.org/earth-day-2022
Earth Day Video – “We can still get the job done…”
Join the Southern Dioceses Environment Network for monthly prayer, sharing and discussion on all matters concerning the Catholic response to care of creation. Next meeting: Monday 9th May, 12.45-2.00pm. Click here for full details
Bishop Paul McAleenan at Dover memorial to refugees drowned in the Channel. Photo: Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk
Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has followed other faith leaders to object to the UK government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. He said in a statement today: “The proposal to send some of those seeking asylum to Rwanda is at odds with the line from the Prophet Isaiah which we read as we prepare for Easter, ‘He does not break the crushed reed nor quench the wavering flame’.
“Despite presenting the plan as a humanitarian need to combat trafficking, this scheme will compound the difficulties of those arriving on our shores hoping for a new beginning. The actions of the people of this country show that they wish to lift up those in need, decisions of the government should do likewise.
“I am reminded of a memorial plaque on the promenade in Dover honouring those who died at sea seeking refuge. ‘Every migrant has a name, a face, a story’. This should be our starting point. We need to make it convenient for them to tell their story (their Asylum claim) remembering we are dealing with individuals made in God’s image who have endured great hardships in their own country and on their travels.
“The UK Government and the whole international community, motivated by the desire to uphold the dignity of human life, need to address the problems which cause people to flee their homes.
“We pray for all refugees whose sole aim is to survive each day. Led by the Christian spirit, manifested so powerfully at Easter, we should help and not discourage them.”
In his Easter Vigil Homily, Cardinal Vincent made it clear that those who seek solutions to these challenges must do so with compassion and regard for human dignity, saying that ‘this policy announcement simply lacks these qualities.’
Last week, the UK government announced its plans to send people seeking asylum in this country to Rwanda, where their asylum requests would be processed by local authorities there instead. Such plans would effectively exile those who have come to the UK seeking sanctuary (many of whom have already been forced to flee their homes due to war and persecution) to places such as Rwanda, where they will be detained whilst their asylum claims are looked into – with little safeguards offered against potential human rights infringements and abuses.
Caritas Westminster condemns policies such as ‘offshoring’ asylum claims, which are both lacking in compassion and respect for human dignity.
“Caritas Westminster stands in solidarity with all people who seek humane and just solutions for those fleeing conflict and persecution. We are dismayed at the Government’s plans to deport those seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda for resettlement. This is clearly a case of punishing the victim, not the perpetrator, and does little to recognise the underlying causes of why people are forced to migrate.
“The policy falls far too short of being compassionate and fair, and will serve only to undermine the innate God-given humanity and dignity of those individuals who will be affected by it.”
John Coleby, Director of Caritas Westminster
In his homily at the Easter Vigil – whereby he spoke of the various injustices afflicting individuals around the world – Cardinal Vincent Nichols, too, referenced the new policy, and called on Catholics to,
“Pray that those who seek solutions do so with compassion, and with regard for the dignity which is innate to every human being. This week’s policy announcement simply lacks these qualities.”
This policy proposal is part of wider government immigration reform, embodied by the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is returning to the House of Commons for final amendments to be considered on Wednesday 20th April. If passed in its current form, the Bill would create a plethora of new barriers for refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK, rather than addressing the root causes of forced migration and trafficking.
Caritas Westminster, once again, calls upon the UK government to implement a compassionate and just asylum system, rooted in our common humanity, with the following issues addressed:
The asylum system should never penalise people for arriving spontaneously or without documents, or differentiate asylum claims on the basis of how people got here. Most refugees have no choice of how they travel.
Asylum claimants should have safe and dignified accommodation within British communities.
Secure safe routes to the UK and prevent dangerous Channel crossings. We need ambitious, compassionate and detailed plans that will meaningfully expand safe routes to the UK for refugees – until then, people will continue to risk dangerous journeys to reach protection and loved ones.
“Amid the pain of the war, there are also encouraging signs, such as the open doors of all those families and communities that are welcoming migrants and refugees throughout Europe. May these numerous acts of charity become a blessing for our societies, at times debased by selfishness and individualism, and help to make them welcoming to all.”
There is still time for you to make a difference – join us and our partners in making our society one which is welcoming to all, by opposing the Nationality and Borders Bill today, and calling on your MP to do the same, by clicking here!
For more information about:
The Nationality and Borders Bill and its potential impact on our asylum system, click here.
Volunteering at projects supporting asylum seekers and refugees, click here.
Image: Faiths in Manchester, Bishop John Arnold (far left)
By Hannan Brown. Source: JPIT
Senior Church leaders have written to all MPs ahead of Wednesday’s vote on the Nationality and Borders Bill, urging them to use their influence to make changes to the Bill.
The Nationality and Borders Bill is due to come before MPs on Wednesday 20th April, to allow them to vote on amendments proposed by the House of Lords. The Bill is in its final stages and continues to be backed by the government, despite having suffered multiple defeats in the House of Lords.
The Church leaders who have signed the letter represent a range of denominations and traditions in the UK, many of whom have been outspoken about the Bill over the past year. The letter has been sent to every MP currently elected to the House of Commons.
You can read the full text of the letter below.
We are writing as a group of Christian leaders, from denominations and traditions across the UK, ahead of the vote on the Nationality and Borders Bill in the House of Commons this week. We want to take this last opportunity to make it clear where we stand on the Nationality and Borders Bill. We urge you to use your influence to encourage concessions to the Bill ahead of the vote, and to support the changes made to the Bill in the House of Lords.
Faith groups have been outspoken on our concerns about the Bill since the start of the process. We have made it clear how we feel the Bill fails to uphold the principles and values of the UK by creating hostility and fostering discrimination against some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Only in the last few weeks we have witnessed the seemingly limitless compassion and commitment shown by UK citizens as they have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their lives and homes. Yet the Nationality and Borders Bill directly contradicts this approach. We find it challenging to understand how the policies within the Bill will work in practice, except that they will cause hardship, criminalise innocent people and fracture families.
The amendments made in the House of Lords will improve the Bill as they seek to bring it in line with international convention, compassion and care for our common humanity. In particular, we support amendments made to expand and protect family reunion rights, to enable asylum seekers to work after waiting six months for their application outcome, to establish a target for resettlement and to amend the two-tier system proposed for asylum seekers. Each of these amendments recognises that the trauma and need of a person seeking asylum should be prioritised, and that we should do all we can to offer opportunities for people and families to restore their lives in a place of safety. In supporting these amendments, we urge you not to vote against the lives of vulnerable children, men, women and families who are in desperate need of our support.
At this time of Easter, as Christians we celebrate new life and new hope. Our faith tells us that our God-given hope in new life should influence the way we treat our neighbour, wherever they come from. As the Nationality and Borders Bill comes before you this week, we ask you to consider how your vote demonstrates how you care for those most vulnerable in our world.
Regardless of the outcome of this week’s vote, we will not stop advocating for love to be shown to our neighbour through the policies and practices in our asylum system. Churches across the UK will continue to come alongside those who remain in desperate need of our friendship and welcome.
We wish to encourage you in your role, and hold you in our prayers during this time.
With Regards, Bishop John Arnold, Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford Nicola Brady, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Dr Patrick Coyle, Chair, Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales Revd Clare Downing, General Assembly Moderator of the United Reformed Church Barbara Easton, Vice-President of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Great Britain Rt Revd Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain Rev Ruth Harvey, Leader, the Iona Community Revd Sonia Hicks, President of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Great Britain The Bishop of Dover, The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin The Most Revd Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain The Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Bradwell, Chair of Churches Refugee Network UK & Ireland Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England Lord Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
APOLOGY Regrettably, we are unable to livestream the Mass for Migrants on this occasion, as previously advertised.
All are welcome to join the Dioceses and Ethnic Chaplaincies of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster for a celebration of the annual Mass for Migrants on Monday, 2nd May 2022.
The Mass this year is hosted by the Diocese of Westminster and the celebrant is Bishop Michael Campbell OSA.
Banner bearers are invited to gather in Westminster Cathedral Hall between 1-2pm.
Please be seated in the Cathedral before the banner procession at 2pm. Mass begins at 2.30pm.
On Monday of Holy Week, 11th April 2022, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski (centre) of the Ukrainian Eparchy of the Holy Family was joined by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Anglican Bishop of London Sarah Mullally, Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and a number of leaders of other Christian denominations in an hour of ecumenical prayer in a demonstration of solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine.
Prior to the service, Cardinal Vincent Nichols was interviewed for Sky News
Interviewer: Why did the Church leaders decide it was important to have this hour of prayer?
Cardinal Vincent: Well it’s important to understand that we’re meeting in the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, and this is an important centre here, right in the middle of London, where they’re trying to become a focus for the those in need and those who are arriving here. So the place of prayer is important, the prayer itself is important and the wide range of Christian leadership that will be present here this morning is also significant. We are very united in this determination to support the people of Ukraine as they face this terrible evil onslaught.
Interviewer: And this hour of prayer, is it open to the public? Can anyone walk in and join?
Cardinal Vincent: Certainly it’s open to the public and it’s placed now at midday hopefully that some people in their lunch break will come in. There’s been some publicity for it, and this church is always open, and it’s a Catholic Church but it’s a Ukrainian Rite Catholic Church. So the pattern of prayer here is a bit different and that for some people will be a good experience as well. But it’s the fervour, it’s the intensity of the prayer that reflects the horror and intensity of the challenge that we all face.
Interviewer: Have you had any word on how the Catholic community in Ukraine is faring?
Cardinal Vincent: Well that is exactly what Bishop Kenneth here and his staff are very, very much in touch with. And it depends obviously on the different parts of the country in Ukraine. I’m not familiar with the details of every place, but I know that there is a great affinity always between Catholics across the world and we along with everybody else are responding as generously and as rapidly as we can to the appeals for finance, for practical assistance, and for a welcome here. Despite the difficulties involved in getting Ukrainian refugees here that you have been talking about earlier in the programme.
Interviewer: Were you surprised when the Pope himself on Sunday, called for an Easter truce in Ukraine? That he so publicly came out and gave his voice?
Cardinal Vincent: No, I was not at all surprised and I think it’s very important that what he asked for was a truce not a ceasefire. He said we don’t need a ceasefire in which people re-arm themselves, we want a genuine truce, an end to these hostilities so that there’s space for humanity’s needs to come to the fore. And that means people giving way on the stands they might have taken initially, for the good of humanity, for the good of the people of Ukraine, who in some places are suffering the most appalling atrocities as we know day by day.
Interviewer: Exactly, the picture, the footage, the stories they’re so horrific. What would you say to the people who hear you’re holding an hour of prayer and say, well that is a lovely gesture but you need to do more, the Catholic community needs to do more, the global community needs to do more?
Cardinal Vincent: Please don’t misunderstand, that prayer doesn’t excuse us from every other effort. But prayer adds dimensions to these struggles. It gives an inner strength and it opens up a wider horizon. It tells us that the immediate moment and how we respond to it, is not the whole story. It’s a very important part of the story, but prayer generates hope and prayer generates courage and prayer generates solidarity. And those three things hope, courage and solidarity are needed in every practical effort as well.
Interviewer: Cardinal, just before we spoke to you we played a package about refugees trying to get to the UK and some statistics: nearly 80,000 people have applied but only 12,000 have got here. Do you think we as the United Kingdom could and should do more and should have done more?
Cardinal Vincent: I think that’s perfectly clear, that the process is overcomplicated. I know friends of mine have applied and they are experts at filling in forms, and they are very, very frustrated that somehow the promises that were made a couple of weeks ago are not being worked out. Now, I don’t know whether this is to do with incompetence or whether it’s to do with fear and excessive caution. But I think the heart of most people in this country is to say let them come, just let them come. We are ready to receive and welcome and do our best. Of course there has to be prudent caution but that should not be obstructive and this is a time I think, when this system really ought to be reviewed and put into working order.
Prayer for Ukraine
Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquillity and good fortune.
We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who prepare to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instil in us your strength, wisdom and understanding. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
At the last meeting of the London Church Leaders, it was decided that an Ecumenical Hour of Prayer for Ukraine will take place at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Monday 11th April at noon.
The Hour of Prayer will begin with the chanting of the Sixth Hour Office of the Ukrainian Church by the Cathedral Clergy led by the Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.
After the Office there will be prayers led by:
– The Archbishop of Westminster, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols
– The Bishop of London, The Rt Rev’d Dame Sarah Mullally
– Archimandrite Niphon Tsimalis, Secretary to HE The Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain
– The Moderator of the United Reform Church North Synod, The Rev’d George Watt
– An opportunity for open prayer from other leaders
– Archimandrite Niphon Tsimalis, Secretary to HE The Archbishop of Thyatira and Great Britain
– The Moderator of the United Reform Church North Synod, The Rev’d George Watt
– An opportunity for open prayer from other leaders
The Leaders will then join together to pray the Prayer for Ukraine of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Blog by Amy Smith, Westminster Justice and Peace Communications Volunteer
As we approach Easter 2022 we are living through very challenging times. The world faces a war in the heart of Europe instigated by an unjust aggressor; which is destroying countless innocent lives and raising the threat of nuclear war. Here, at home, we are facing a host of other challenges including economic insecurity and climate change, with their potential long term consequences haunting our future. The poor and vulnerable across the world will likely suffer the worst consequences. After witnessing so much suffering or being directly affected, where can we find hope during this Easter season?
Perhaps there are some similarities between the Easter story and these troubled times. Jesus was executed by those in power as his words and actions were seen as a threat to their leadership. It is through His resurrection that God embraces the suffering and trials of our existence and the brokenness of our world. He showed that the love of God can overcome the powers of sin and death. He was not defeated but triumphed over the oppressive powers that nailed him to the cross. His death demonstrates the difference between God and earthly power. Jesus isn’t indifferent to our pain, he suffers with us, His love for us is so strong that he became one of us even experiencing his own torture and execution. During these difficult times we can place our hope and trust in the risen Christ.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 