On 6 July 2024, USPG brought together guest speakers and synod members to host a round table event to discuss the theme of United Beyond Borders: The Church and the Refugee Crisis. Alongside the General Secretary of USPG, The Revd Dr Duncan Dormor, the speakers were The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester and Chair of Trustees for USPG, Bethan Lant, Chair of London Churches Refugee Network and Head of Training, Development and Advocacy Manager for Praxis and Canon Dr Jack McDonald, Diocese of Europe, Bishop’s Advisor to Current Affairs and The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Permanent Rep to the European Institutions.
First on the agenda was the UK general election. Just two days after polls confirmed Labour’s governing majority, the newly elected Labour government had announced the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme. This decision came after years of significant political effort and expenditure focused on addressing immigration issues, particularly concerning small boats crossing the Channel.
The discussion around the table provided an engaging opportunity to consider the ideal timing for addressing the politics, policies, and practicalities of immigration and asylum. Much thought was also given to how the Church might influence the national debate as it progresses.
The consensus was that the time was now, and the Church needed to take a firm stance, even if it could be somewhat criticised for speaking up on political issues. Bishop David spoke about his experience in the House of Lords voting against various bills and how it always led to questions about “what is the alternative”? To which the answer is quite plain: “safe and legal routes”. He made the point that this would also impact the human trafficking issue as people on the move would be less reliant on such extreme measures.
Bethan Lant began her segment powerfully by suggesting that the Church should stop talking about refugees! She explained how the UK legal system is obsessed with giving people crossing borders labels such as “asylum seeker” or “illegal immigrants” and then treating them accordingly. By contrast, the Church should avoid doing so. The Church, she explained, needs to be much less concerned about why people come to the UK and far more concerned about how we are treating people when they arrive – that is where the Church is different. God is clear that we are all His people, and we should be treating each other as such.
Canon Dr Jack McDonald led a robust conversation around how changing and closing migrant routes in the continent of Africa has led to people seeking routes north to “Eldorado” via the Mediterranean. Jack was able to explain how chocolate was a real issue regarding migration. Men from countries like Niger and Malawi travel to Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to work in chocolate factories, which in turn leads to significant child slave labour and deforestation. A simple and practical step we can all take is to be mindful of the brands of chocolate we purchase, as this can directly promote better management of migration.
The time together was thought-provoking, resulting in attendees leaving with ideas about how the Church could respond to the refugee crisis at both parish and diocesan levels. USPG would like to thank our esteemed speakers and all who attended the round table event.
If you would like to explore this theme in your church, why not use our five-week study guide – perfect for churches and small groups: www.uspg.org.uk/resources/study-courses