Monday of the 5th week of Lent

Lenten Journeys

Monday of the 5th week of Lent

08 April 2019

Monday of the 5th week of Lent

From Today’s Responsorial Psalm:

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.”

Psalm 22(23)

As we listen to Christian’s story today where do we feel the presence and generosity of the Lord?


Christian’s Story

Christian arrived, and claimed asylum, in the UK in 2000. Like many of those seeking safety he found himself faced with a confusing system, a system he knew very little about, with nobody there to explain the process. Christian was taken aside and interviewed on arrival.

“The officials at the airport sat me down and asked me some questions. I answered all of their questions. I told them everything. They kept me somewhere for three days – I didn’t remember where – and then they gave me accommodation in Croydon. I stayed there for four or five months.”

Christian’s asylum claim was being processed and while he was waiting for a decision to be made, the government were providing him with basic accommodation. At that time, the government also allowed those waiting for an initial decision to work, so Christian had the right to a National Insurance Number and to seek employment.

“Once I had my National Insurance Number I started looking for work. I managed to get a good job in a kitchen as a chef’s assistant. I was happy to begin working – I was able to contribute to society.”

“I was working in a kitchen preparing food. I loved my job and the people I worked with were really nice. They were good people. They helped me to get NVQ Level one and two. It was a great place.”


An Invitation to Action

Like many of our refugee friends, being able to work was important to Christian not only so he could support himself but because it enabled him to contribute to society. Luckily, when Christian first came to the UK, those seeking asylum were allowed to work, however this is no longer the case. For our friends, the freedom to work is intrinsically linked to their sense of dignity –something which is eroded by the hostile environment agenda.

Throughout Lent, we’re inviting you to make an extra effort to take simple actions to show refugees and people seeking asylum understanding and compassion.

Act: JRS UK is part of a campaign called Lift the Ban, which is calling on the government to give asylum seekers the right to work if they have been waiting over 6 months for a decision on their asylum application.

You can join JRS in support of this campaign.

Read: Learn more about the Lift the ban campaign by reading our blog.


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Jesuit Refugee Service UK
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre
2 Chandler Street, London E1W 2QT

020 7488 7310
uk@jrs.net

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