Archbishop Gallagher concludes visit to UK
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, has concluded a visit to the UK where he discussed issues ranging from migration and modern slavery to climate change and international cooperation with British government ministers.
During the March 1st to 4th visit the Liverpool-born archbishop met with the Minister for Europe, David Lidington, and Baroness Anelay, Foreign Office Minister in the House of Lords. He discussed with them common concerns including the situation facing Christian communities in the Middle East, Ukraine, Kosovo and Cyprus. Mr Lidington also shared the British government’s position on remaining in the European Union, ahead of the national referendum on June 23rd.
In a meeting with Britain’s Home Secretary, Theresa May, the archbishop talked about the current migration crisis and efforts to combat slavery and trafficking. He also met with the Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers and with Lord Borne of Aberystwyth, the Climate Change Minister.
The Vatican foreign minister was welcomed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at Lambeth Palace and had the opportunity to discuss potential cooperation with the Commonwealth in talks with its Secretary-General elect, Baroness Scotland of Asthal.