Office for Refugee Policy
The Office for Refugee Policy (ORP) monitors information and prepares briefs on migration to enable the bishops to develop policy and respond to debates. The ORP represents bishops on the migration issue nationally and internationally and also acts as a catalyst for lay engagement in refugee work.
Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales (2008)
The Bishops' pastoral statement on the Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales was published in April 2008.
"Over the last few years, there has been a transformation of the social character of the dioceses in England and Wales. Across the country in all our dioceses, we have migrants from nearly every continent in the world, adding people and vibrancy to our parishes. We, the Bishops of England and Wales, have been considering this new social reality with a view to issuing a statement calling for a more visible culture of welcome, hospitality and solidarity with our migrant sisters and brothers in God’s family. We recognise and celebrate their rich cultural and spiritual patrimony and the ways in which they are enriching us as they join us in our parishes and dioceses. This statement, ‘Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales’ is the result."
Bishop Patrick Lynch
Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark
Bishop with pastoral responsibility for migrants
Click here to read Mission of the Church to Migrants in England and Wales.