The Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Smith, joined the Anglican Bishop of Dover and other church leaders in Calais on Saturday in a show of solidarity with refugees and migrants stranded in the makeshift camp known as the Jungle.
They signed a joint statement appealing for more people to give time, money and shelter to the refugees who face the prospect of spending winter in cold and unsanitary conditions in the camp.
Archbishop Smith said he hoped local and national governments on both sides of the Channel would put more effort into providing accommodation for the refugees.
"I've heard some terrible accounts from people - both Christian and Muslim whose loved ones have been killed because of their faith. But I've also been encouraged to see people still remaining hopeful, helping each other and receiving support from volunteers here," he told Independent Catholic News.
The archbishop was joined in Calais by the Anglican Bishop of Dover, Trevor Wilmott, and the Bishop of Arras, Jean-Paul Jaeger.
In all, around 500 volunteers from the UK and mainland Europe attended the “Refugee Welcome” rally which included prayers, speeches, music and poetry. The event was organised jointly by the French charity, Secours Catholicque and a British Catholic group, Seeking Sanctuary, set up a year ago by Ben Bano.
Barbara Kentish, who attended the event said the camp is appallingly disorganised and “a public health disaster waiting to happen.”
Efforts were now being concentrated on helping Secours Catholique to sort and to distribute donations of food, clothing, blankets and other items pouring in from various groups.
“We have to save the refugees from having to endure a Calais winter,” said Ms Kentish.
"We leaders of churches alongside the English Channel have joined in solidarity with this Day of Action in Calais and repeat our calls for people to respond to the growing crisis by showing generosity to those who are exiled from their homeland," a joint statement from the bishops in full said. "These vulnerable men, women and children share in our common humanity and everyone can help them to live in dignity and contribute to civil society.
"People of all faiths and none can assist by providing financial and material support, time and skills, shelter and accommodation. Above all, we can pray and gather information to support pleas for better treatment in our nations and across the European Union. We wish to counter the myths that lead to prejudice and fear and urge politicians to envisage new policies that go beyond merely closing frontiers and employing increased numbers of security staff.
"We resolve to work together to encourage residents to create a climate of welcome for strangers and we trust that we will be joined in this by all who gather in places of worship along the frontiers of European nations."
Loading ...
