Bishops urge Cameron to take in more refugees

Eighty-four Church of England bishops have accused the Government of an "increasingly inadequate" response to the migrant crisis and ignoring their offers to help to provide housing, foster care and other support for at least 50,000 refugees.

The CoE has released a letter, signed by the bishops, which was sent to the Prime Minister urging him to make a "meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily".

Amid pressure from public opinion to strengthen the UK's response to the migrant crisis on Europe's borders, the Government pledged to take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

However, the bishops said in the letter: "We believe such is this country's great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five-year period you foresaw in your announcement.

"Such a number would bring us into line with comparable commitments made by other countries. It would be a meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily."

A spokesman for Mr Cameron did not respond directly to the content of the bishops' letter, but said it was "absolutely right that Britain should fulfil its moral responsibility to help the refugees".

"But in doing so, we must use our head and our heart by pursuing a comprehensive approach that tackles the causes of the problem as well as the consequences," he added.

The letter called on Mr Cameron to consider involving the church in a national effort to "mobilise the nation as in times past."

The bishops offered to rally congregations behind efforts to make rental properties and spare housing available to refugees, and to promote foster care for unaccompanied and homeless children.

The CoE said the bishops had written to Mr Cameron in early September - but that they have not received a response.

Paul Butler, the bishop of Durham, in a statement: "It is disheartening that we have not received any substantive reply despite an assurance from the Prime Minister that one would be received.

"There is an urgent and compelling moral duty to act, which we as bishops are offering to facilitate alongside others from across civil society."

(Sky News)