Catholics across the UK have sent a clear message to the Government ahead of this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees: the right to seek asylum must be protected, and people seeking sanctuary must be treated with dignity.
On Monday 21st September, representatives from JRS UK, the Caritas Social Action Network, Caritas Plymouth, Caritas Brentwood, and the St Vincent de Paul Society delivered hundreds of postcards from parishes, schools, religious communities, and local groups across the UK to Downing Street, calling on the Government to restore the right to asylum, end immigration detention, and place dignity and protection at the heart of the asylum system.
The postcards are part of the Welcome the Stranger: Defend Asylum campaign, launched at Pentecost and supported by Bishop Paul McAleenan, the lead Catholic Bishop for migrants and refugees.
The campaign comes at a time when people seeking safety in the UK face increasingly restrictive policies, hostility, and uncertainty. People seeking safety do not have safe routes to seek protection, face barriers to family reunification, the increased use of immigration detention, and greater hurdles to finding stability here in the UK. All of this takes place amidst growing dehumanising rhetoric and even violence.
See the campaign to defend asylum
Speaking after the hand-in, Sophie Cartwright, JRS UK’s Senior Policy Officer said:
“We see every day the impact of hostility and cruel policies targeting women, men and children seeking sanctuary. It is so encouraging that parishes, groups and individuals across the UK are calling for a different approach, rooted in humanity and dignity. As Christians we are called to welcome refugees.”
Fiona Ranford from CSAN said:
“Pope Leo XIV, in his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, has called for a supportive response to refugees which guarantees protection, welcome and support for those who migrate.
Catholic communities across the UK are playing a crucial role in providing this supportive and welcoming response. But now they are calling on the UK government to play their part in building a society where everyone can live in safety and can build a future for themselves and their families.”
Meghan Lawrence from the SVP added:
“Every person seeking safety and sanctuary has a story, a family and a future that matters. Through our work across England and Wales, SVP members see first-hand the difference that compassion, welcome and practical support can make to people who have been forced to leave their homes.
As Catholics, we are called to welcome the stranger and to stand alongside people who are experiencing hardship and uncertainty. We urge the Government to ensure that our asylum system upholds the dignity of every person, protects those seeking refuge and gives families the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety.”
We were also joined by young people from Caritas Brentwood. Onosé shared:
“It’s important as Christians to support this campaign because it is living out the message that Jesus gives to us, which is to love our neighbour… Jesus himself was a refugee. He sought a new home because of danger, and God willing, we hope that if any of us were in a similar situation, we would be able to find solace and safety in another country as well.”
Take part in the campaign to defend asylum
There’s still time to add your voice
Hundreds of postcards have already been delivered to Downing Street, and more continue to arrive from parishes, schools and individuals around the country.
Could you support this campaign in your parish, school, or community? If you’d like to get involved, email uk.outreach@jrs.net for support or to order resources.
Every postcard helps demonstrate the strength of support for an asylum system rooted in dignity, compassion and justice.
Thank you to everyone who has already taken part. Together, we continue to stand alongside refugees and people seeking asylum, and to call for a society where everyone can live in safety and dignity.
