The National Council of Churches USA wants government officials and church leaders to act on "comprehensive immigration reform."

France's main Protestant grouping has added its voice to criticism of government repatriation of Roma migrants and demolishing Roma camps.

In times of exploding budget deficits and unemployment figures, migrants are often used as scapegoats for all the ailings and failings of society, says Annegret Kapp. But the churches are responding boldly to the call to combat fear and prejudice.

We need to be vigilant to be sure that budget day is not also doomsday for local communities, especially the vulnerable for whom community and faith organisations exist, says Vaughan Jones, probing behind the government's 'big society' rhetoric and asking how the civil sector will be resourced and supported in a constrained market environment.