'Only friends who haven't yet met' - Refugees Day in London

JRS speaker at the conference

On 2nd October, 47 Anglican and Catholic religious, associates and third order members gathered at

Notre Dame de France refugee centre in London for the JPIC (Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation) Links networking day.

Taking the quote by WB Yeats, 'There are no strangers here, only friends you haven't yet met' as the title of the day, we heard from two speakers from organisations who advocate the cause of refugees and forced migrants and accompany them in a spirit of 'mutual respect, dignity and solidarity'.

After an introductory prayer, 'We come to share our story', prepared by Br Eddie Slawinski MHM, Nicolette Busuttil from The Jesuit Refuge Service (JRS) told us about their work of welcoming people who, without leave to remain, are homeless and hungry here in the UK. Director of JRS, Sarah Teather, says: "This year has seen a further raft of policy changes by the UK government which will make it even tougher for refugees. The government is deliberately creating what it calls 'a hostile environment' for asylum seekers whom they do not want in the UK."

Nicolette said that Pope Francis has asked us to, 'wake up the world', but it is a world where 'globalised indifference' seems to be the norm - "we have forgotten how to be human" she said, going on to comment how shocked she is to see what is happening on our own doorsteps She described how those seeking help from JRS are taken aback when they are greeted with 'welcome' and they realise that they are being treated as human beings worthy of respect. "We should not leave it to 'the experts' to remedy the situation" she said "It is for each and every one to treat all with respect". We can all do something to help.

Nicollette described how at JRS the most important work is listening and helping refugees to find their own voice. She gave practical examples of how JRS works towards achieving its three-fold goals:

* To work towards the dignity of refugees and forced migrants

* To improve the conditions under which refugees and forced migrants find themselves in the UK

* To advocate for a values-based approach to the UK's obligations of meeting the protection needs of refugees and forced migrants

*

Nicolette told us about the JRS hosting scheme, 'At home' where utterly destitute asylum seekers with no means of support are matched with individuals, families and religious communities that can offer short-term accommodation in their households or communities, to destitute asylum seekers in need of respite. Nicolette told the story of one man who, when watching the rain, said: "I have spent the last three weeks sleeping on a bus. I was watching the rain and thinking how I would be at the bus stop getting drenched, waiting for a bus on which to sleep - thank you - I will keep you in my prayers." Several religious in the audience were able to tell us about their experience of hosting asylum seekers in their community, while others are involved in visiting detention centres and supporting day centres in a variety of ways.

Nicolette ended the morning by appealing for help with contributions to help their resources go further and support their outreach work. Some ways she mentioned were- with friendship, by speaking their language, by hosting, by writing to people in detention (pen pal scheme), by visiting those in detention, by organising a toiletries collection, in your parish, school etc (JRS give out 15,000 toiletry bottles a year), by donating and by prayer. See the JRS web site for ideas on how you might help www.jrsuk.net/

In the afternoon we heard from Scott Albrecht from the Catholic Worker farm in Hertfordshire.The Catholic Worker Farm and Mary House provide accommodation, food, English lessons, counselling and other services for 21 destitute (without access to public funds) female asylum seekers and their children, at no charge. All of the women are homeless, and are referred to the Catholic Worker Farm by refugee services/agencies. The Catholic Worker Farm /Mary House meets the physical needs in

relation to shelter, food and clothing, but just as importantly enables the guests to live in a supportive and loving environment. It helps them with their asylum claims and enables them to move on. Over the last 11 years the farm has had 500 women and children staying there. http://thecatholicworkerfarm.org/

Scott told us of one woman who kept saying, "my country is dead, my country is dead!" This woman was forced to flee for her life and ended up destitute on the streets of London when her claim for asylum was refused. Scott spoke about the philosophy of the Jesuit martyr, Ignacio Ellacuría SJ, who was murdered in El Salvador in 1989. Speaking about 'reality' he said that first we need to apprehend reality and accept it on its own terms: then we should allow the reality to touch us to allow the connection to take place. Finally we should bear the burden of reality. Telling the story of one South African woman Scott took us through the process of how he leant about and accepted her reality, how her story touched him and finally the actions that he took to 'bear the burden of her reality'.

We were challenged by both speakers to act on what we had heard. JRS is asking us to write to our MP's to challenge the implementation of the new legislation (see www.jrsuk.net/news/impact-of-new-government-priorities/ for more information).

Two hours after landing in Poland for World Youth Day this summer, Pope Francis spoke of the need for a "spirit of readiness to welcome those fleeing from wars and hunger, and solidarity with those deprived of their fundamental rights, including the right to profess one's faith in freedom and safety".

Everything possible must be done "to alleviate the suffering while tirelessly working with wisdom and constancy for justice and peace", he added.

Both Nicolette and Scott asked why we are not heeding the Pope's words. They both asked why the Institutional churches are not rising up in condemnation of this abuse of human rights. Why do we not act when our government is eroding the rights of the poor? When at our baptism we are anointed as priest, prophet and king, why are we not acting out of that reality? Perhaps said Scott (quoting Philip Berrigan) it is because, 'the poor tell us who we are, the prophets tell us who we could be, so we hide the poor, and kill the prophets.'