A mass in various languages in the Catholic Cathedral of Westminster, a procession of parishes and religious groups and a rally in Trafalgar Square: that’s how the Catholic Church of England and Wales recently participated in the action day organized by the association Strangers into Citizens. The association is campaigning for illegal immigrants who have lived in the UK for over four years to be granted a work permit for two years. Thousands participated in the mass for immigrants, celebrated by the Catholic Primate, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. After Mass the Primate walked with the congregation to Trafalgar Square and joined other religious and lay associations for the rally in support of immigrants. It’s the first time a campaign of this size has been run in the UK where, according to a recent survey, 66% of citizens are convinced that immigrants who work and pay tax ought to be granted a residence permit: a point of view that contradicts that of Parliament which is due shortly to discuss a bill that would deny access to public services to illegal immigrants.
