A Canadian Catholic priest is urging Quebec to move towards a model of "open secularism" that respects both religious and non-religious contributions to society without imposing the beliefs of any one group.

The Liberal Democrats yesterday responded to a call by many Christians for an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has renewed the church's call for "immigration policies which respect the rights and gifts of those among us, now living in fear, whose contributions to our communities and economy are so valued."

The latest national citizens’ enquiry into the UK asylum system will hear evidence on the asylum appeals process at a public hearing in Leeds on Thursday 20 September. While media-driven attitudes have hardened, the Independent Asylum Commission advocates a measured approach.

A Catholic church in Aberdeen facing closure will now remain open, ­thanks to community appeals and an influx of new parishioners from Poland. The Church is increasingly reliant on new migrant workers.

A national “citizens’ enquiry” into the UK asylum system, has heard evidence of trauma and unfair distress caused to asylum seekers and local communities by the use of 'dawn raids' to remove people from the country.

The Church of England is joining a campaign which is calling for the Government to end the destitution of people refused asylum in Britain.