Church leaders are urging David Cameron to rethink government policy on Britain accepting Syrian refugees.

Forty-eight Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic and United Reformed Church leaders from across Great Britain have written an open letter to the Prime Minister acknowledging the significant role that Britain has played in providing funds for refugees in countries around Syria. However, the letter also speaks of the ‘moral responsibility’ to resettle a significant number of refugees in Britain. The letter criticises the Government’s initial commitment as falling a long way short of the contribution Britain should make given its size and resources. The leaders suggest that a proportionate figure well in excess of 1,000 would be far more appropriate and point out that following a major conflict most refugees are able and desire to return to their homes.

“We are proud of Britain’s long heritage of welcoming refugees,” said the Revd John Howard, Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District, who coordinated the response. “We have an ethical duty to honour this tradition and play our part in caring for those displaced by this terrible conflict.”

The full text of the letter follows: Continue reading “Britain has ‘moral responsibility’ to accept Syrian refugees, say Church leaders”