The lead bishop for migrants and refugees led a “moving” ecumenical service on the Dover seafront last Saturday to mark the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Bishop Paul McAleenan, auxiliary in Westminster, highlighted the Christian duty to provide a humane and welcoming attitude to those who attempt to reach our shores having suffered poverty violence and persecution. Standing alongside the memorial at the seafront to migrants who have lost their lives seeking safety, he recalled the powerful words of Pope Francis that every migrant has a name, a face and a story.
Speaking over traffic at the busy port, Bishop McAleenan said that refugees are forced to leave their homes because of war, poverty and climate change. “War uses weapons we are exporting to their countries and people are on the move because of climate change which they did not create,” he said. The Church teaches that “every refugee has a right to a better life”.
He said: “God give us the passion and the strength to remember migrants and refugees and demand that they are rescued.” He thanked those present “for all you are doing in your parishes and communities for those seeking a better life”.
Around 25 people attended, including representatives of Seeking Sanctuary, Kent Justice and Peace, Caritas Westminster, and Canterbury Anglican Diocese.
Barbara Kentish, who is on the Board of Maria Skobstova House in Calais, which serves migrants, spoke of the importance of faith groups opposing persecution and offering friendship to refugees. She applauded local councils in Britain which have taken in Afghan refugees, but criticised the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill for its stricter requirements for refugee status. Phil Kerton and Ben Bano of Seeking Sanctuary reported continuing to raise awareness of the situation along the Channel coasts in England and France, that is “so misrepresented by many politicians”.
On the following day, 26 September, Bishop McAleenan marked the World Day of Migrants and Refugees with an International Mass at Westminster Cathedral. He was joined at the celebration by representatives from the ethnic chaplaincies and international communities of the Diocese of Westminster.
In his homily, Bishop McAleenan highlighted the contribution that migrant and refugee communities make in their new homes. “Those who leave their homeland and settle elsewhere do not arrive empty-handed, they bring their gifts and contribute to their new society, contributing vastly to its progress and development and we welcome them.”
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