Charity Churches Together in England (CCTE) is calling on the government to provide a 'sanctuary' for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

They are urging Her Majesty's Government to do all it can to develop programmes of refuge that are both just and effective. 

The CCTE also welcomes changes recently announced to a complex and slow visa application system, thus easing the ways in which Ukrainian refugees can be given sanctuary, and urge the swiftest implementation of this system.

In a statement, CCTE said: "As 300 delegates from 52 national Member Churches, numerous Christian organisations and ecumenical bodies from across England, we call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of invading forces and the observance of the Geneva Conventions. 

"In this holy season of Lent, we call upon churches everywhere to campaign for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine, and to proclaim the dignity of every human life, whatever its nationality.

"We welcome and commend the extraordinary efforts of countries neighbouring Ukraine in receiving refugees from the war and call on the UK and the whole of Europe to follow their example. 

"We support every measure to protect the most vulnerable.

"We commit ourselves to pray for the nations of Russia and Ukraine, our own Government and people, and for all who find themselves refugees, or bereaved, wounded or destitute. 

"May Christ have mercy upon our world."