Three Catholic charities have launched a campaign aimed at defending the right to asylum and upholding the dignity of people seeking sanctuary.
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS UK), the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP), and the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) have come together to reaffirm a Christian duty to protect and stand alongside people who are forced to flee their homes.
Sophie Cartwright from JRS UK told Premier Christian News that the campaign draws on Catholic social teaching and the Gospel call to welcome the stranger. She said it also reflects Pope Leo's encouragement for Christians to recognise refugees as our sisters and brothers:
“We have a specific duty to offer protection to people seeking safe haven. Yet right now, we are seeing a concerted effort by successive governments to undermine refugee rights and increase the use of immigration detention.
"There are now many circumstances in which the government refuses to even examine someone's asylum claim, so this makes it really difficult for people to get protection when they badly, badly need it. People who are just trying to find somewhere to be safe end up detained, end up destitute.”
The campaign As Christians we stand with refugees. Join us, is calling on the Government to restore the right to asylum, place dignity and protection at the heart of the asylum system and end immigration detention.
It wants Christian communities across the UK to take practical steps, including sending a postcard to the Prime Minister, showing visible solidarity, including posters in churches and community spaces and taking part in prayer and public witness, including vigils and educational events.
Sophie Cartwright added: “As Christians, rooted in our faith and inspired by the gospel, we need a different way. We're calling for the government to restore the right to asylum, put dignity and protection at the heart of the asylum system, and end immigration detention.”
To be eligible for asylum in the UK a person must have left their country of origin and be unable to go back because of fear of persecution. Successive governments have maintained that easing work restrictions could draw asylum seekers to the UK because they believe reception conditions are more favourable.
They point to a potential increase in applications from ‘economic migrants’ whose primary motivation for coming to the UK is to work rather than seek safety.
For more information and resources about the campaign, visit: https://www.jrsuk.net/defend-asylum/