'Incredible desperation': prominent church leaders visit refugee camps to express solidarity

Church leaders from the UK and France have visited refugee camps to express their solidarity and support.

A group of bishops from either side of the English Channel took part in a 'Welcome Refugee' day of action in Calais while other UK church leaders have just returned from Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, where they met some of the thousands fleeing conflict.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark and the Anglican Bishop of Dover joined the Bishop of Arras, France as well as 2,000 supporters from England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and other countries at the 'Jungle' camp in Calais.

With winter looming for the camp's inhabitants, the leaders issued a joint statement encouraging people of all faiths to help.

"We repeat our calls for people to respond to the growing crisis by showing generosity to those who are exiled from their homeland," the statement read.

"These vulnerable men, women and children share in our common humanity and everyone can help them to live in dignity and contribute to civil society."

"Its very sad," said the Most Rev Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark. "People are living here in very bad conditions."

Jo Siedlecka who took part in the day of action alongside the bishops said she only saw one water source in the camp and eight portaloos.

Writing for ICN (Independent Catholic News), she described how disorganised and ungoverned the place was. Other than a small understaffed centre, "there are no officials structures in place" the limited volunteers "struggle to cope" with the job of sorting and distributing donations.

Anglican priest Rev Tim Clapton was part of the delegation. He told Christian Today that the trip had been very valuable, "The refugees found the Christian delegation a great encouragement. I feel sure for much of the time they are feeling largely marginalised. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with refugees from across the world as well as hear at first hand the issues faced by those bringing aid."

He said the situation was still very grim, "It is appalling that there is so little basic infrastructure in the camp. So little water, sewage, shelter or food provision. There is an urgent need for major aid agencies to co-ordinate the installation of basic infrastructure before the winter sets in."

"The British, French and German people have been very kind as van loads of food and clothes roll into the camp each day. There is now no need for more clothing as the warehouses in Calais are full. The challenge is to get those provisions to the camp from the warehouses."

Another group of church leaders from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) returned from Greece on Saturday where they met with refugees, local volunteers and various charities and government officials.

The unofficial border opening at Idomeni has seen up to 4,000 mainly Syrian refugees pass through every day on their way to Serbia and northern Europe.

"We saw the incredible desperation of refugees who were willing to risk journeys in what they themselves called 'death boats' as a means of escape," said Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK.

"We stand united with and for those working tirelessly to protect the God-given human rights of these refugees, and those who save the lives of many forced to make this perilous journey.

"As more borders close, refugees who have already sacrificed almost everything will still find alternate routes because they have nothing to lose. In anticipation, we must collaborate to formulate a coherent and humane response."

UNHCR says more than 442,440 people have crossed the Mediterranean this year, and 2,921 have died trying. The International Organization for Migration puts those figures at 473,887 and 2,812, respectively.

related articles
From Birmingham with love: Church raises money to send Bibles to Calais

A vicar in Birmingham has raised enough money to send over 100 bibles to migrants in Calais.

Refugee crisis to test EU at summit of divided leaders
Refugee crisis to test EU at summit of divided leaders

Bitterly-divided European leaders will seek to find a credible response to the continent's worst migration crisis since World War Two at an emergency summit this week.

Over 1.4 million children forced to flee Boko Haram, UN says
Over 1.4 million children forced to flee Boko Haram, UN says

1.4 million children have been forced to flee the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, the UN's children agency said.

Archbishop offers welcome to refugees at Lambeth Palace
Archbishop offers welcome to refugees at Lambeth Palace

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has ooffered a four-bed cottage in the grounds of his home at Lambeth Palace to Syrian refugees

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.