Bishop’s rage over government policy on refugees fleeing Ukraine

The Bishop of Dover has criticized the government’s policy towards refugees fleeing war in Ukraine.

In comments to the Diocesan Synod of Canterbury, Rose Hudson-Wilkin spoke of her rage and frustration over the Russian invasion and its impact on the Ukrainian people.

Calling on people to provide aid and shelter to refugees, she said: “We see on our screens the plight of the Ukrainian people. And I want to tell you this, that deep inside me there was a rage.

“And what interests me is that there is a real conversation about how we welcome these two million people – and I’m sure it will be more – who are seeking refuge.

“People who are normal people, like you and me, who a few weeks ago were going about their normal business, and now they are running for their lives. How do we respond to them? How can we open the doors and let them in? »

Criticizing the UK government’s response, she said: “I’m a huge tennis fan and there are John McEnroe’s favorite words when he was a player: ‘You can’t be serious!’ I heard myself say that when I listened to the government, my government, our government, talk about visas and ask for visas.

“People are running for their lives and we are asking them to find a place and apply? My God, you can’t be serious. Should we always look through our national lens to find out what our people will say if too many people come to our country?

“I say this because I believe passionately that this is God’s world and that we are here as children of God to reach out and build relationships, to name evil when we see it.”