As questions about the fairness of UK migration policy once more come into the spotlight, the Anglican archbishops of Canterbury and York have been visiting the Oakington Immigration Detention Centre as part of a trip to Cambridge.

They met the multi-faith chaplaincy team, as well as detainees and staff, to highlight the political and human rights issues, before giving a homily at a short service.

Archbishops Rowan Williams and John Sentamu spent Friday afternoon looking at the Churches’ response to homelessness by visiting the Emmaus Community at Landbeach. The Emmaus Community is home to up to thirty people who were formerly homeless and provides not only shelter but work in accordance with the principles of acceptance, sharing, working for others of greater need and self respect.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is delivering two lectures entitled ‘What Difference Does it Make? – The Gospel in Contemporary Culture’ and ‘Faith, Reason and Quality Assurance: Having Faith in Academic Life’. In addition Dr Williams will attend a seminar this weekend with local clergy and Diocesan staff at St George’s Church in Chesterton to discuss the subject of ‘New Churches for New Communities’.

As part of his programme, the Archbishop of York was set to deliver a lecture entitled ‘A Broken Society?’ at Great St Mary’s and to address the ‘Changing Chaplaincy’ conference at Anglia Ruskin University.

In summary of their lectures in Cambridge, the Archbishops are taking part in a seminar at Great St Mary’s Church, chaired by commentator Madeline Bunting, entitled ‘Faith in the Future’.