(Vatican Radio) With the British General Election looming, the question of immigration is one of the main points being debated in the public arena as the various parties vie for votes, writes Phil Andrews.
At the beginning of March, Bishop Patrick Lynch , Chair of the Office for Migration Policy for the Bishops of England Wales, challenged the British coalition government over its detention policy for migrants. He welcomed the publication of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees, and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, which recommended that the next British Government should introduce a maximum time limit of 28 days on the duration anyone can be detained in UK immigration detention. Noting that many seeking asylum had already suffered great trauma prior to arriving in the UK, he hoped the findings would “be translated into humane immigration policies for those who need protection and support from the State.”
Bishop Lynch also responded to comments made by the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, when he suggested that the children of immigrants should wait before accessing the state education system. The Bishop was “appalled by any suggestion of discriminating against immigrants” and reminded Mr Farage that “The UK has a long, proud and humane tradition of responding to the needs of immigrants’ children”, continuing, “It is proven that education is a key element in integrating diverse communities. I recognise that in some places there are strains on resource but as a society we need to respond to this need rather than scapegoating any one group.”
You can watch Bishop Lynch’s pre-Election Address concerning Immigration, here.
One charitable organisation, located in the bishop’s own diocese of Southwark, which seeks to help newly-arrived immigrants is The Baytree Centre . Housed in a converted warehouse in the multicultural community of Brixton, The Baytree Centre was founded after the Brixton riots of the 1980s, at a time when social cohesion was at an all-time low.
Over thirty years later, the centre now supports hundreds of women and girls every year, primarily recent immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Often victims of marginalisation and isolation, the women and girls who rely on Baytree already endure many difficulties caused by an existing lack of access to services; thus the changes proposed by some of the political parties would hit them even harder, whilst adding pressure to charities such as Baytree, which are already severely underfunded.
Writing in The Pilgrim , the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Sounthwark, Saskia Goldman explains her experiences as a volunteer at The Baytree Centre, and how they have ranged from taking young women to the island of Jersey for short respite holidays, through to teaching English to women and girls who have escaped perilous conditions and persecution, never expecting to find themselves so far from the country they once called home.
Indeed, the need to provide English classes is an important part of what the charity does. As Saskia notes, “London can be an alienating place even if you do speak English. Without services like the ones offered, these women might become increasingly isolated, meaning their families and children would too.” By helping both children and parents learn English, and develop skills, charities such as Baytree support the entire family to become self-sufficient as they integrate into the wider community, and build a new life for themselves, and their families.
As Pope Francis reminded the world in his 2014 Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees , the Church must help existing communities in “moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization… towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world”.
With Britain going to the polls next month, Pope Francis asks all people of good will to respond to the issue of migration with charity, and cooperation, “… in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane… Solidarity with migrants and refugees must be accompanied by the courage and creativity necessary to develop… a more just and equitable financial and economic order, as well as an increasing commitment to peace, the indispensable condition for all authentic progress”. ( 2015 Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees )
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) With the British General Election looming, the question of immigration is one of the main points being debated in the public arena as the various parties vie for votes, writes Phil Andrews. At the beginning of March, Bishop Patrick Lynch, Chair of the Office for Migration Policy for the Bishops of England Wales,…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says there is still much to be done in order to give due recognition to women, both in society and in the Church.
Speaking on Wednesday during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said that not only must the voice of women be listened to, but that it must also be given weight and authority.
Continuing in his Catechesis on the family, Pope Francis focused on the great gift that God gave humanity when he created man and woman and on the Sacrament of marriage.
Reflecting on the complementarity between man and woman, Francis said that the Scripture tells us that “God created man in his own image… male and female he created them” and that man and woman bear the image and likeness of God not only as individuals, but also together.
He said that in God’s plan, sexual differentiation is not ordered to subordination, but to communion and procreation and he said that this reciprocity brings harmony and enrichment to the human family.
But, pointing out that it also presents a constant challenge and that modern culture has opened new scenarios, the Pope pointed out that there is much work to be done in order to give women their due recognition.
The very way in which Jesus considered women – the Pope said – shines a powerful light on a long road still to be tread, a road upon which we have only taken a few steps. This road – Francis said – “is to be travelled with creativity and audacity”.
The Pope also touched on issues that have come to the fore thanks to new freedoms and new perspectives opened up by contemporary culture.
Asking himself whether the so-called “gender” theory that aims to annul sexual differences may also be an expression on frustration and resignation due to our incapacity of confronting a problem, the Pope said that: “removing the difference is the problem, not the solution”.
And inviting men and women to speak more to one another, and to respect and love each other, Pope Francis also urged intellectuals “not to abandon this theme as if it had become secondary within their commitment to build a more just and free society”.
Nowadays – the Pope concluded – as we sense the responsibility to do more in favour of women, recognizing the weight and authority of their voices in society and the Church, we must also ask ourselves to what extent society’s loss of faith in God is related to the crisis of the covenant between man and woman.
The challenge faced by the Church, and by all believers and families – he said – is to rediscover the beauty of God’s plan, the imprint of his image in that covenant.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says there is still much to be done in order to give due recognition to women, both in society and in the Church. Speaking on Wednesday during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said that not only must the voice of women be listened to, but that it…
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(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Roberto Tucci died Tuesday night in Rome. His 94th birthday would have been 19 April. Having been Director General of Vatican Radio from 1973 to 1985, he was made a cardinal by Pope St. John Paul II on February 21, 2001. He also served as the organizer of all Pope John Paul II’s papal visits.
Cardinal Tucci joined the Jesuits and was ordained a priest in 1950 after having earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
He taught for several years at the Theological Faculty of San Luigi in Naples, serving also as director of the Jesuit periodical, Civiltà Cattolica, from 1959 to 1973.
During the Second Vatican Council, Cardinal Tucci played a major role in the Council’s preparatory documents and in its various sessions as a Theological Expert.
His contribution was invaluable for the final edition of the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes.
(from Vatican Radio)…