Show compassion to refugees - Archbishop’s message

We must respond to refugees with compassion, says the Archbishop of Wales.

In a message to mark World Refugee Day, Archbishop Andrew John says we are facing a global crisis and he calls for nations and individuals to show hospitality to those who have had to flee their homes.

His full message follows.

This year World Refugee Day comes just days after we have watched with horror and dismay the refugee boat tragedy off the coast of Greece with the likely loss of hundreds of lives.

They are the latest victims in a crisis which is just escalating year after year as people flee their homes as a result of war, persecution or climate change, in the hope of finding a better future in Europe.

This is a global crisis which affects us all and which calls for global action. There are no easy answers but we believe all responses must first and foremost be grounded in compassion and mercy. Our faith calls us to show hospitality to strangers and to help and value those who are vulnerable, homeless and victims of injustice.

We ask that our nations redouble efforts to secure peace and justice in the troubled parts of the world and that each of us join in prayer and practical action for all refugees so that they can have “hope away from home”.

Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John