The bishop has spoken out against policies that have led to the “unavoidable tragedy” of migrant drownings | Tech Reddy

A senior Catholic bishop highlighted the “inevitable tragedy” of the deaths of migrants in the English Channel last year and railed against policies and “unacceptable discourse” that undermined their human dignity.

Praying for at least 27 migrants who died in the Channel a year ago, Bishop Paul McAleenan, Bishop of England and Wales’ lead bishop for migrants and refugees, said: “This avoidable tragedy calls us to reflect on our collective responsibility to protect. refugees and migrants from life-threatening threats. As many of our brothers and sisters are trying to make this transition in search of a better life, unacceptable words and policies are robbing them of their human dignity.”

He said: “We pray for those who have died on their journey to a new life of hope. We pray for their families and for all those displaced from their homelands, and we commit ourselves to the Holy Father’s request to welcome, protect, support and integrate all those who seek a home in our communities.” By 2022, more than 40,000 people will have crossed the Channel in small boats.

On 24 November 2021, the first anniversary of the Channel’s worst maritime disaster in 30 years was marked by vigils on the south coast organized by refugee support groups. They all called for safe routes for refugees to come to Britain. About 100 people gathered on Folkestone Beach in the evening, one attendee said: “The terrible weather made it all the more moving and intense.” The death of migrants in a boat accident was reported with great sadness as countries argued over who was responsible for rescuing them. One participant wrote on Twitter: “Whether it’s in the canal, detention center, camp, street, etc.

This was reported by Phil Kerton, a representative of the organization “Seeking Sancary”. Tablet: “Ramsgate witnessed a similar event and the flowers left on Folkestone Beach were later taken to Dover and placed on memorial plaques near the ferry terminal.”

Grieving relatives gathered in London’s Parliament Square on November 24 to hold photos and candles in the driving rain to remember their loved ones. Claire Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, which organized the vigil, said families were still waiting for answers as to why their loved ones’ lives were not saved by the UK or French authorities. “They didn’t have the courtesy of a meeting or basic information about what happened,” he said.

The names of those who died were remembered at the Home Office’s monthly lunch in London earlier last week. Concerns are growing after more than 50 cases of diphtheria among asylum seekers recently arrived in the UK. The migrant who died on November 19 at the Manston processing center in Kent had contracted the disease.

Last Sunday, Justice and Peace Scotland joined Ayrshire Hope Not Hate in Dungavel, Scotland’s only immigration detention centre, to peacefully witness immigration detention and the hostile environment for refugees and asylum seekers. Frances Gallagher: “As we witness, we mark the first anniversary of the tragic deaths in the English Channel – with each victim’s name read out loud.” Tablet.