National ecumenical poverty charity Church Action on Poverty is urging people to take on the life of someone who has been refused asylum, for a week during Lent.
It comes ahead of a statement which will be issued by church Leaders from across West Yorkshire, who will condemn the Government’s treatment of asylum seekers.
The Anglican bishops of Wakefield, Bradford, and Ripon & Leeds, and the Catholic Bishop of Leeds as well as leaders of other Christian denominations in the region, are expected to highlight the prejudice that exists towards asylum seekers as well as the failure of the legal process to ensure justice for asylum seekers. They will also call for asylum seekers to be allowed to work.
CAP’s National Co-ordinator Niall Cooper commented: “As Christians we cannot walk by on the other side whilst asylum-seekers are subject to open hostility, denied their basic human rights, and left destitute on our streets.
“I would encourage church leaders across the country to take a stand alongside some of the most marginalised, vulnerable and voiceless people within society – our Christian faith demands nothing less.”
CAP has teamed up with Manchester-based destitution project the Boaz Trust to run the ‘Lent Endurance Challenge’. It is challenging people to take on the life of someone who has been refused asylum.
Supporters will try to live for a week in Lent on £3.50 and a typical food parcel – the same as those provided by destitution projects across the country.