London: Prayer vigil for those who have died seeking sanctuary

Home Office Prayer Vigil

'I was a stranger and you welcomed me' Matthew 25

The monthly prayer vigil for those who have died seeking sanctuary takes place on Monday 20 February from 12.30-1.30pm, outside the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF. For more information contact: barbarakentish@talktalk.net

Barbara Kentish writes:

We hold this prayer vigil every month in memory of all the men, women and children who have died in their attempt to reach Europe and the UK, fleeing from war, poverty or persecution. We witness to the human dignity and freedom of movement of all people and to God's commandment to love and welcome our brothers and sisters. We see refugees as fellow children of God, not as aliens.

According to UNHCR there are currently 60 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 20 million who are refugees in other countries. The majority are hosted in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan and Ethiopia. Developing countries host 86% of the world's refugee population.

Though the UK is one of the world's richest countries and its foreign interventions in the arms trade help perpetuate the wars from which so many people are trying to escape, our government is refusing to welcome refugees. Instead, our discriminatory and hostile border legislation is forcing refugees who try to reach Europe or the UK into taking dangerous routes via the Mediterranean and the English Channel, thus causing their deaths. The tiny fraction of refugees crossing in small boats to the UK should be welcomed, lacking any safe and legal routes.

Meanwhile, within the UK, refugees fleeing violence and persecution are frequently detained in inhuman and unjust conditions. The process of claiming asylum can be highly arduous and frustrating, leaving people even more vulnerable and alienated. Many refugees and migrants living in the UK have no recourse to public funds, and rely on charity.

We call on the UK government to create safe passage for refugees in recognition of their human dignity and for a straightforward process of asylum application. We pray that people across Europe will stand in solidarity with refugees and migrants. We pray for an end to the arms trade, militarism, and neo-colonialism that cause the conditions of poverty and conflict forcing millions of people to flee their homes.

Participating groups include:

The London Catholic Worker

A community within the International Catholic Worker movement. The CW is a Christian ecumenical pacifist and anarchist movement founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in New York in 1933. As a community we are dedicated to living simply, in solidarity with those who are marginalised by society and in resistance to violence and injustice. We are based in North London at Giuseppe Conlon House, a house of hospitality for refugees and asylum seekers with no recourse to public funds. If you are interested in learning more about our community and movement please visit our website: www.londoncatholicworker.org/ or contact us by email. Londoncatholicworker@yahoo.co.uk

Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission

The Commission exists to promote action and reflection on peace and social justice in parishes and schools, in the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. The aim of the Commission is for justice and peace activity to be part of the core of the Church's work throughout the Diocese of Westminster and to be perceived to be so by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The Commission will support the congregations, priests and bishops of the diocese in developing awareness of and ensuring engagement with and commitment to justice and peace as an integral part of the life of the Church and its living out of Gospel/Kingdom values. Justice and peace issues may be local, national or international…… We invite and encourage prayer, reflection and action on issues of: Care for Creation, Climate Justice, Racial Justice, Housing and Homelessness, Refugees and Migrants, Ending Poverty, Human Dignity and Respect, Trade Justice, Peace See: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org

London Churches Refugee Fund

The London Churches Refugee Fund (LCRF) enables churches and individuals to donate to multiple charities helping destitute refugees and asylum seekers in London. From your donations we make grants to front-line projects, typically for phone credit, hygiene items, food or fares to access drop-ins, language classes, solicitors, etc. To date we have raised and distributed over £250,000. See: www.lcrf.org.uk/

Society of the Sisters of Bethany

A religious order for women within the Anglican Communion. See: www.sistersofbethany.org.uk/