Our Columban missionary charism calls us to respond faithfully to the challenges of today. Our commitment to justice, peace, the integrity of God’s creation, and inter-religious dialogue compels us to denounce prophetically the injustices, violence, and attempts to divide communities.
In our ongoing work among people seeking sanctuary and our support for initiatives that build bridges among faith communities, we witness the fear and distress the current situation causes amongst the vulnerable and minorities.
For these reasons, we have decided to release the following statement:
Columban Missionaries in Britain have watched in horror as a tiny minority has brought violence and hatred to cities across the country. As we mourn the tragic loss of three young lives in Southport under such horrific circumstances, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the senseless acts of violence directed against vulnerable communities.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols and other Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, we deplore what we have seen over the past week: anti-Muslim hatred and the targeting of mosques; attacks on asylum seekers and refugees; and violence directed towards the police and private property. As the leaders say, all of these are a stain on our national moral conscience.
As we seek to live out the Gospel, we stand in solidarity with these communities and strive for a future where everyone can feel safe and valued.
Columbans in Britain are proud to support ‘Together With Refugees’, a coalition that brings together people and movements to stand against the divisiveness and hate directed at refugees. We work with Muslims on different interfaith initiatives in the city of Birmingham and are pleased to support the running of Fatima House in Birmingham City Centre. Fatima house is a partnership project offering safe accommodation to female asylum seekers, who would otherwise be homeless.
The Columbans also work alongside Restore, a project of Birmingham Churches Together, who support refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham and who have a vision for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued and integrated.
Our Inter-religious Dialogue Co-ordinator Mauricio Silva, alongside Columban ordained, lay missionaries and faith in action volunteers, has been actively involved with Restore’s initiatives for more than 20 years. Until the end of last year, Mauricio was Chair of the Management Committee, a position he held for six years. Mauricio says, “This week’s news has been harrowing and Columbans condemn the violence and hostility that we’ve witnessed towards those seeking sanctuary in Britain.” He adds, “It is important that we continue to transform from within, an uncaring, hostile system, reversing streams of social and economic hostility towards refugees, and countering narratives of fear, suspicion and separation which do so much damage to our society.”
Our Justice, Peace and Ecology Co-ordinator James Trewby collaborates regularly with ‘Stories of Hope and Home’, a local charity who brings together people with lived experience of seeking asylum to create safe spaces to build community and to explore and process their experiences. James has facilitated many opportunities for asylum seekers and refuges to share stories with students and educators, promoting learning, challenging misconceptions, developing empathy and inspiring action.
It is essential the UK moves away from divisive politics and racist rhetoric and instead finds a united way forward. The Columbans in Britain hope that the new UK government will listen to the many voices trying to sustain a tradition of compassion and hospitality which is so key to the prosperity of this nation.
