Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


Churches urge end to hostile environment policies 


A group of major churches is launching a campaign to challenge the government’s approach to illegal immigration, which they say is leading to destitution, discrimination and distrust

Hostile Environment logo


The Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have joined forces to call on the government to review entirely the web of policies that have created the hostile environment. In a new report for church members, Destitution, Discrimination and Distrust: the web of the hostile environment, they set out how aspects of the policies run counter to Christian teaching.

The campaign follows recent revelations about how British citizens such as members of the ‘Windrush generation’ have lost their homes, jobs and access to NHS treatment because of the policies. But the report argues that the web of the hostile environment reaches much further.

Speaking on behalf of the denominations the Church Leaders, the Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union, the Revd Richard Frazer, convenor of the Church and Society Committee of the Church of Scotland, the Revd Loraine N Mellor, President of the Methodist Conference, and the Revd Kevin Watson and Alan Yates, Moderators of the United Reformed Church, said:


‘As a group of Church denominations, the injustices of the hostile environment alarm us. The impact of the hostile environment has gone well beyond immigrants who are in the country illegally. It is of deep concern that people who do not look or sound ‘British’ are now facing increased levels of discrimination in finding homes and employment.

`We believe it is inhumane to use the threat of destitution as a policy tool to encourage people to leave the country and we call for an immediate end to indefinite detention.

‘This is not about who we do or do not allow into the UK, but about how we relate to one another inside our borders. Due process, justice and the proper implementation of immigration policies should not require us to live in suspicion of our neighbour. The hostile environment spins a web of distrust and encourages suspicion. As Christians we believe that God calls us to offer welcome to the stranger and care for the vulnerable, whoever they are.

‘Many of our churches support those who have suffered hardship as a result of the hostile environment. Our churches include some of the very people who are at risk of destitution and discrimination. Our Christian faith moves us to pray and work for a society where people are truly hospitable to one another.

'We are therefore calling for a review of immigration policy and practice to examine the damaging effects that the hostile environment is having on the whole of society.’


The campaign launches during Refugee Week and will run over four weeks featuring a report, stories, infographics and films of how a range of people have been affected by the hostile environment, and a dedicated hashtag #EndHostility. 



 
Baptist Times, 21/06/2018
    Post     Tweet
Baptist prayer and fasting gatherings on 26 September
Prayer and fasting gatherings with a mission focus are being hosted by Baptist churches across England and Wales on 26 September
Still time to respond to the findings of Project Violet
Responses are already coming in with commitments to action that will be reported to Baptist Union Council in October - and local churches and other stakeholders in Baptist life have until 30 September to respond to the project's findings
'We hold everyone affected by this awful event in our hearts and our prayers' 
Church leaders in Merseyside have shared a statement in the wake of the knife attack in Southport on Monday
'His contribution to the life of the Baptists will endure'
Tributes have been paid to Brian Haymes, described as 'one of the greatest British Baptist figures of modern times', who has died aged 84
'If you have a heart for seeing people reached for Jesus, this is for you' 
Everyone Everywhere, the recently launched Baptist collaboration that seeks to equip Baptists to share Jesus fully, is hosting a national conference on Tuesday, 8 October
Research documents Covid faith impact
Professor Paul Weller, a Baptist church member, introduces an accessible digest and analysis of Covid-related research and resources (2020-2023) on Christian Faith Based Organisations (FBO) in Great Britain
     Latest News 
    Posted: 26/02/2024