UK church leaders expressing solidarity for refugees

Written by Linda Digby 24 Sep 2015
UK church leaders expressing solidarity for refugees

English and French bishops took part in a 'Welcome Refugee' day of action in Calais, while other UK church leaders returned from meeting thousands fleeing conflict on the Greek-Macedonian border. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark and the Anglican Bishop of Dover joined the Bishop of Arras and 2,000 supporters from England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and other countries in Calais. With winter looming for the camp's inhabitants, the leaders issued a joint statement encouraging people of all faiths to help. A participant at the day of action said she saw only one water source in the camp and eight portaloos, adding that the place was disorganised and ungoverned. Other than a small understaffed centre there are no official structures in place, and the limited number of volunteers ‘struggle to cope’ with the job of sorting and distributing donations. Anglican priest Rev Tim Clapton said the refugees found the Christian delegation an encouragement.

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