At the heart of the Gospel is a simple truth: every person is precious, because God is present in everyone. Welcoming people seeking safety is an integral part of our faith: it is a response to the dignity God has placed in every human life. As Christians, we believe people are neighbours to be welcomed, not problems to be managed. Together, we can build a society that welcomes, protects, and stands alongside people seeking safety.
Jesuit Refugee Services with Caritas Social Action Network and the SVP has launched a Christian Campaign to Defend Asylum rooted in Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching. The campaign, running throughout the summer, invites Catholics in schools, parishes and communities to reflect both on the courage that it takes to move to find safety as a refugee, and on the courage it takes to stand up for your beliefs and to Love the Stranger.
Inspired by our faith, we are calling on the Government to:
- Restore the right to asylum, so everyone seeking safety has their claim heard fairly.
- Put dignity and protection at the heart of the asylum system, allowing people to live, work and rebuild their lives in community.
- End immigration detention and support people through their asylum claims in the community.
Get involved in the campaign by:
- Downloading or ordering postcards to get signed and sent to the Prime Minister
- Putting up a poster in your church in solidarity with people seeking asylum
- Speaking with others in your parish and community about why this issue is important
Information and resources are available at: https://www.jrsuk.net/defend-asylum/
or contact Alex at alexandra.miranda@prcdtr.org.uk for more details.