Birmingham: Archbishop visits joint Catholic-Salvation Army project
Archbishop Bernard Longley made an informal visit, his first, to St Chad's Sanctuary, a new partnership recently established between St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham and the Salvation Army West Midlands Division to care for asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants, on Monday 29 March.
Major Samuel Edgar, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, West Midlands Division hosted the Archbishop, who was accompanied by Canon Patrick Browne, Administrator of St Chad's Cathedral. Major Edgar showed the Archbishop round the new centre, located in the heart of Birmingham.
St Chad's Sanctuary is situated next to The William Booth Centre situated, opposite Archbishop's House, in Shadwell Street, behind the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad. It is open Monday to Friday offering a warm welcome to all.
During an hour-long visit Archbishop Longley met Sister Margaret Walsh, an Infant Jesus Sister, who manages the centre. Also present were a number of volunteers, including Shadi Rosedad, an Iranian asylum seeker. Shadi was formerly a lecturer at Teheran University.
After the visit Canon Patrick Browne said: "For some time now we have been looking at ways to work in closer partnership with the Salvation Army. When we became aware of the plight of asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants in the locality this gave us the opportunity to meet some of their needs."
Canon Browne, added: "I'm most grateful to Garry Murphy and his staff at The William Booth Centre for their support and encouragement."