Parishes encouraged to support work to resettle vulnerable Syrian refugees

Writing in a blog, Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, says church groups can provide the 'welcoming flesh on the bones' to efforts by local authorities and other agencies to resettle vulnerable Syrian refugees.

"We are talking about a careful, realistic, grown-up setting about the task of welcoming Syrian refugees, just people in extreme need with all the complexities and riches of any human being. This is not the church saying 'look at us being charitable', but the people of God letting their deeds speak for Him," he writes.

"Helping to support displaced people into a sustainable, long-term future amidst a strange culture is not for the short term and it is not for the faint-hearted.

"It is brilliant if we churches can provide premises, or money, or a friendly welcome: much better if we can commit to long-term, costly partnership with local authorities and charities to go the distance."

Bishop Stephen's blog has been posted as the Mission and Public Affairs Division of the Archbishops' Council publishes updated information on how parishes and dioceses can help the programme to resettle the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in the UK.

Details include case studies of work already underway in dioceses and information on organisations working at national and local level to help refugees including the National Refugee Welcome Board, the umbrella body for civil society organisations working with refugees.

In November, the General Synod of the Church of England backed a motion urging parishes and dioceses to work closely with local authorities and other community partners to provide practical support for vulnerable refugees and to pray for all those seeking to address the causes as well as the symptoms of the crisis.

The Bishop of Durham, Rt Rev Paul Butler, co-chair of the National Refugee Welcome Board, said: "Church of England parishes and dioceses have already responded with great generosity to the refugee crisis in Europe through fundraising and practical help here in the UK.

"The Church of England dioceses are well placed to support the work of local authorities and established agencies: not just helping to provide a welcome for refugees as they first arrive, but also ensuring that they receive crucial long-term support."