Bishop Van de Berghe of Antwerp received a delegation of the UDEP (Union in defence of persons without residence permits) on Saturday 29 April, and was informed during the meeting of the situation of clandestine immigrants (sans-papiers) in the country. “In my view – the bishop later declared to the CathoBel press agency – they are persons who deserve to be regularized. I understand very well the pressure that urges these people to turn to action”. “The organizations do their best not to exacerbate the tone of the protest, opting for and proposing positive actions”. “I think, however, as a bishop, that it’s necessary to say to the government and to parliament that it’s time to give a signal that goes in the direction of a wider action of regularization”.
