Church of England bishop backs ECDN’s call to end child detention
1 February 2010
As Bishop of Ripon and Leeds I am aware of the impact of removal and detention on those who experience it as well as those left behind, in our schools, communities and congregations. I welcome the initiative of the End Child Detention Now Campaign.
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, representing the Urban Bishop’s Panel of the Church of England, has issued a statement in support of the End Child Detention Now campaign.
The Statement, issued to coincide with the churches’ celebration of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, February 2nd, condemns the detention of the children of asylum seekers as ” a shameful practice” which must be halted. It calls on the Secretary of State to introduce “humane-community based arrangements for children and families which recognise the need to put the welfare of children first”.
Bishop Packer, who has spoken on the issue in the House of Lords, and worked with families of asylum seekers in Leeds, says in the statement that detention of children, “often in sudden and alarming circumstances leaving behind friends, toys and personal possessions …”, is a distressing experience which must be halted.
Read the bishop’s full statement on child detention.
You can read and sign the End Child Detention Now petition to the Prime Minister here.
