Bishop Nicholas Hudson backs Welcome the Stranger campaign

Bishop Nicholas Hudson signed a postcard at St Boniface House to support the Welcome the Stranger campaign led by Jesuit Refugee Service UK. The campaign asks the government to protect the right to seek asylum and to end immigration detention so that people seeking sanctuary in the UK are treated with dignity.

The Bishop signed the postcard alongside diocesan trustees and members of the Caritas Plymouth team. This action follows a September 21 hand-in at Number 10 Downing Street, where hundreds of postcards from various communities were delivered to the government. Simon Giarchi, head of Caritas Plymouth, represented the diocese at that event alongside representatives from the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, the Caritas Social Action Network, the St Vincent de Paul Society, and Caritas Brentwood.

Bishop Hudson said he is proud to support the campaign and expressed gratitude to the parishes in the diocese that have already participated. He stated that the Gospel calls the Church to welcome the stranger and that the dignity of every person making an asylum claim must be remembered.