Thousands of displaced people in Ukraine are being kept safe by spending the nights in churches, a congregation of more than 2000 people at the annual Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral was told.
The Mass, back in the cathedral for the first time after two years of online services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saw a profusion of colourful banners as ethnic chaplaincies and migrant groups processed down the aisle.
Those present included the London Chinese and Filipino communities, the Goan chaplaincy, the Zambian Catholic Chaplaincy, London Catholic Worker and Citizens UK as well as Church of England bishops Rick Thorpe of Islington and Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford.
Bishop Michael Campbell OSA, bishop emeritus of Lancaster, was the principal celebrant.
In his homily he emphasised that the Mass on the Feast of St Joseph the Worker celebrates the significant contribution made by migrants to the life of the dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster. “Give thanks to the Lord for the migrants in our midst,” he said. “You come with many gifts and skills and are willing to put them at the service of brothers and sisters in this country.” He particularly singled out work in care services as “work that is deeply Christian and deeply human”. Bishop Campbell called for migrants “to receive a just wage for what they do”.
Persecuted Christians and all communities forced out of their homes by violence were remembered in the bidding prayers. Although no direct reference was made to the controversial Nationality and Borders Act that was passed last week, it was in the thoughts of many. There was a prayer “for a spirit of generosity to give welcome and support to migrants”. The presence of diocesan Caritas staff and Cafod director Christine Allen gave witness to the Church’s mission to migrants in the UK and overseas.
Two migrants linked to Citizens UK spoke about the “terrible experience” and indignity of not being allowed to work while asylum claims were being considered.
Fr Andriy Tsyaputa from the Ukrainian community who reported that Ukrainian Churches “are still open and launching large-scale humanitarian help during the war”. Many Ukrainians have no place to live because war has erupted around them but “thousands of displaced people are housed safely in church buildings every night”, he added. He thanked people in Britain for praying for Ukraine and providing material help.
Music was led by the youth and Caribbean music ministry of Saints Michael and Martin Catholic church in Hounslow, which included migrants from Trinidad, St Lucia, Goa and Sri Lanka. Members of the choir from London’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral sang several post-Communion polyphonic hymns.
The Mass, celebrated every year since 2006 and organised by the Caritas and justice and peace agencies of the three dioceses, underlines the Catholic community’s solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers.
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