Category: Migrants and Refugees

Commission Statement on EU-Catholic Relations and the Referendum

Since its inception, the European Union has had an appeal for Catholic Britain. Indeed, it is at the foundations of the EU where its Catholic heart is most evident. The four founders of the European Coal and Steel Community were all devout Catholics.

But the EU, like Europe in general, is not as Catholic as it was in the 1950s. Secularization in Europe, combined with booming Catholic populations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, have driven a wedge between Catholicism and its European heartland.

The 2003 EU draft constitution was a bellwether point, in purposefully avoiding a reference to Christianity as part of Europe’s heritage. John Paul II wrote a lengthy critique of this decision. Yet, at the same time, he actively campaigned for his home nation of Poland to join the EU.

This represents, even today, how many Catholics view the EU. The appeal of integration with Europe, and with the faith of Europe, remains strong. But we recognise that the EU is in many respects a secularized bureaucracy, which stands at risk of forgetting its Catholic Christian foundation.

At a more practical and immediate level, the EU may also be criticized in its recent approach to poorer member states, especially Greece and Portugal. Since the global recession, the EU has followed an economic policy which seems to favour the strongest member states at the expense of the weaker. The poor are disproportionately affected, while many of the source cities of Europe continue to gain wealth and prosper. 

But, when voting, it is particularly important to reflect that economic arguments are not the beginning and end of the Referendum debate. Economic arguments have a tendency to drive debate in the current political climate. But despite the importance of the economy at this time, there are other issues which are arguably as important, if not more important, to the Catholic Christian ethos. Moreover, it is perhaps in the economic debate where a lack of Christian behaviour is most evident, from both the Remain and Brexit campaigns.

The EU is involved in many areas of public concern, behind the economic marquee. For example, the EU is on the frontlines of the response to the refugee crisis in the Middle East. This response does not always reflect Catholic Christian values. However, within the EU, we have opportunities to exert positive change for those fleeing their homes in search of peace and shelter. In many cases, advocacy for refugees is backed by the European Convention on Human Rights, which effectively links Catholic Natural Law principles to British Common Law principles – a lingering testament to the EU’s Catholic heritage. Moreover, we cannot abscond from our responsibility to refugees, or to human rights in general, by allowing a populist xenophobia to take root in our country. As the Catechism states: “Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him”.

Our membership in the EU is also meaningful for the issue of climate change. In his recent encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called for “stronger and more efficiently organized international institutions… empowered to impose sanctions” to combat climate change and encourage ecological responsibility. In the same text, he has also noted the “myopia of power politics” which is driven by overly “technological” or “consumerist” responses to climate change. While far from an endorsement of the EU itself, this highlights the need for organisations like the EU to exert pressure on nation-states and other, more localised political organisations when needed.

Lastly, there is the ongoing need for integration and co-operation. While the EU may not be the ideal organ for exercising civic responsibility in Europe, that responsibility is not dimmed. As one of the strongest and most influential members of the EU, the United Kingdom has a particular responsibility. To quote Pope Francis’ most recent address to the EU, in September of last year, the values of “peace, subsidiarity, and solidarity” must be promoted where and when we can.

May the peace of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit be with us as we cast our votes this week.

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Though Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, has been very careful not to allow his personal views to be interpreted as spiritual instruction, the Justice and Peace Commission would like to voluntarily extend our support to his personal statement on the EU. His comments were ably represented by the Telegraph in April: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/15/cardinal-leaving-eu-would-leave-uk-facing-more-complex-problems/

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have issued a statement which remains neutral on the issue, while highlighting some important points for prayerful consideration. It can be read in full here: http://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/news/bishops-statement-on-the-eu-referendum/

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Sources and Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church
2241 (care of refugees)
1913-1917 (active citizenship and participation)

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1950
(with amendments)

Click to access Convention_ENG.pdf

St. John Paul II’s statements on Poland’s accession to the EU
https://euobserver.com/enlargement/11309

Lampedusa Cross Pilgrimage Service at Notre Dame Leicester Square

25.06 – Lampedusa Cross Pilgrimage Service (14:30 – 15:30)
Westminster Justice and Peace is hosting a pilgrimage service with the Lampedusa Cross, made from the wreckage of a refugee boat, at the historic Notre Dame de France Church in Leicester Place. westminsterjp.wordpress.com or justice@rcdow.org.uk

A carpenter on the small Italian island of Lampedusa took some wood from a boat that had just brought refugees from Africa and carved some crosses for them to give them hope.  He gave one to Pope Francis on his visit, and now has made them for many throughout the world.  CAFOD has obtained some for our cathedrals and we will hold our pilgrimage service led by one of these crosses during refugee week.  Come and pray this tragic situation which affects us all:  Europeans and new arrivals.  The theme for Refugee Week is Welcome.  Can we  find the space in our hearts to welcome the victims of war and hardship at many of the gateways of Europe?

Calais camp – a Franco British dilemma

I have just received and am passing on  guidance on how to offer practical help in Calais, from that excellent organisation, Seeking Sanctuary – see the link,

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=30016

HowevIMG_20150919_145501937er,  I would  argue that we should, as well as showing compassion and welcome, also speak up about the injustice and inhumanity of treating thousands of refugees coming from the Middle East and Africa in the way we do.  One of the  allegories  we often use to explain what Justice and Peace is about is about ‘The babies in the stream’: Seeing babies floating down the river a horrified community jumps in to save them.  They keep coming and the community keeps jumping in. Finally one citizen suggests going upstream to find out what is going on, so as to prevent this horrible phenomenon.  That response is  ‘justice and peace’.

I never thought we would actually see this situation happen, but day after day we hear about worse phenomena than those allegorical babies, as drowning continues on a shocking scale in the Mediterranean.    In the European context, the refugee situation – I prefer to call it a ‘political’ problem not a ‘refugee’ problem, since it seems obvious that a unit of 500 million

IMG_20150919_143736852

Rally for refugee rights in Calais September 2015

people should be able to absorb 1 million incomers – is caused by the failure of rich countries to coordinate a response .  War and instability in the Middle East,  and failing states in Africa need foreign policy responses, but also a coordinated humanitarian response.  We are closing our eyes if we think these issues will go away tomorrow.

The UK have contributed  around £80m on security and  fencing around Calais (you will see it still going up as  Eurostar pulls away from Calais-Fréthun station), and the French government have provided only for  those applying for asylum in France.  With no policing inside the camp, and no medical or education services  this seems to me to be pretending that there is no problem, that the camp is full of non-persons.  Compare that with the generosity of people we read about in Lesbos and Lampedusa, and Europe presents a very uncoordinated picture.

A Europe-wide policy is needed.   Thirteen aid agencies, including CAFOD, published in early April an excellent, detailed analysis of what needs to happen on  a UK and a Europe-wide level, called SAFE HAVENS.   It remains to be seen whether these measures can be achieved in or out of the EU.   We have a duty to inform ourselves and to vote in solidarity with the poorest, for the Common Good, and for peace.

 

 

 

Migrants Mass at Westminster Cathedral

From Independent Catholic News:

More than 2,000 Catholic migrants living and working in London brought colour and international music to a special Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral on Monday 2 May. The principal celebrant this year was Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

In his homily Cardinal Nichols deplored “reports of sadness, dismay, frustration, anger, rejection and humiliation from Iraq and Jordan, to Libya and Calais.” He felt it was important to speak out when vulnerable children “are perishing at sea or at risk in hostile camps”, and to act with “compassion and justice.”

He said, it is vital to acknowledge the hard work of refugees and migrants in Britain, “who have arrived in this country, in this city, and who work hard not only to survive and to support their loved ones, but also to make their contribution to the well-being of others”. He called for “a change of heart in our society, so that we begin by appreciating the great contribution made by so many migrant communities, without whom this city would not function.”

The Cardinal went on to urge more responsible leadership “from those who deal in creating fear of migrant people and who seek to profit from that fear, whether financially or politically”. He concluded by saying: “We pray earnestly for those who are in positions of authority and leadership that they will find the courage and imagination to respond more generously to those in need, speeding up our own resettlement programme and looking to see how other avenues of rescue and support can be provided.”

Alongside Cardinal Nichols at the Mass were bishops representing Westminster, Brentwood, and Southwark dioceses, and more than 40 priests from ethnic chaplaincies and missionary societies, including the Superior General of the Columban Missionaries, Australian Fr Kevin O’Neill. The Mass was organised by the Justice and Peace commissions of Westminster and Southwark and Citizens UK, in dialogue with Bishop Paul McAleenan, auxiliary in Westminster. Among those handing out Mass brochures to the congregation were Barbara Kentish of Westminster Justice and Peace, Phil Kerton of Seeking Sanctuary (a charity which supports refugees in Calais) and Alison Gelder of Housing Justice.

A procession before Mass, led by the Brazilian chaplaincy, reflected the diversity of London’s Catholic community, as various communities made their way up the aisle, singing, drumming and dancing to their traditional music. Particularly appreciated was an accompaniment of the Offertory by London’s Vietnamese Catholic community, involving the dancing of garlanded young people and the singing of a Vietnamese choir.

Biddings prayers at the Mass were spoken in a variety of languages, including Mandarin, Yoruba and Portuguese, by students of Our Lady’s Convent High School in Hackney. They remembered refugees who have died crossing seas and borders to escape wars and persecution, and victims of human trafficking. The well-being of migrants working in London was recalled with, “may we live together in harmony and may our employment policies enable all to be treated justly”.

Banners heading up the aisle at the end of the Mass included the Ethiopian chaplaincy, the London Chinese Catholic Association, Syro-Malabar churches of India, Catholic Nigerian and Ghanaian chaplaincies, the London Catholic Worker and ‘Justice for Domestic Workers’ (J4DW). They rubbed shoulders with Julian Filochowski of the Archbishop Romero Trust, Maria Elena Arana of CAFOD and representatives of Catholic organisations and religious sisters.

In recent years, Catholic Churches in London have seen a growing number of parishioners from Africa and Asia, from Eastern and Western Europe, from the islands of the Caribbean and more recently from South America. This annual Mass is a visible sign of the Catholic Church’s desire to celebrate this rich diversity which enhances parish life, and to underline the church’s pastoral care for migrants and their families. It has been celebrated on the first Monday in May (Bank Holiday Monday) since 2006.

Read the full text of Cardinal Nichol’s homily here

Update on Refugees and Asylum Seekers

As we read and see daily news about the refugee crisis, we can feel powerless in the face of such a huge movement of suffering people. We must just begin where we can. Here are some things we can do:

1 Caritas Westminster is coordinating diocesan volunteering, and can signpost us to various types of practical help: see their website, http://rcdow.org.uk/caritas/news/the-refugee-crisis-we-need-your-help/

2 Pray and vigil with the London Catholic Worker as follows:
First and third Tuesday of the month at 12.30 PM:
One-hour prayer vigil in solidarity with migrants and refugees who make their way to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. As part of the liturgy, we read the names and stories of people who have died attempting this dangerous crossing and call on our government to support search and rescue missions. The first Tuesday in front of the Foreign Office and the third Tuesday in front of the Home Office.

3 Support the Calais Migrants through the Kent charity, Seeking Sanctuary: Seeking Sanctuary are urgently looking for goods and cash for the people scattered by police in the last few days. www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com

4 Find out whether our local boroughs are accepting Syrian refugees, and whether we can be part of the support offer

5 Consider and discuss with our local and national leaders the future of a Europe closed to refugees.