Bishop’s ‘rage’ at Government policy on refugees fleeing Ukraine

Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin spoke of her frustration over the Russian invasion and its impact on the people of Ukraine.

Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin has criticised the Government’s policy for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Archive)

The Bishop of Dover has criticised the Government’s policy for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

In comments to the Canterbury Diocesan Synod, Rose Hudson-Wilkin spoke of her rage and frustration at the Russian invasion and its impact on the people of Ukraine.

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin has spoken of her ‘rage’ at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Archive)

Calling on people to provide aid and sanctuary to refugees, she said: “We see on our screens the plight of the people of Ukraine. And I want to tell you this, that deep inside me there has been a rage.

“And what is interesting to me is that there is a real conversation about how we receive these two million people – and I am sure it will be more – who are seeking refuge.

“People who are normal people, like you and me, who a few weeks ago were going about their normal business, and now they are running for their lives. How do we respond to them? How do we open the doors and allow them in?”

People are running for their lives and we're asking them to find a place and apply? My goodness, you cannot be serious

Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover

Criticising the UK Government’s response, she said: “I’m a great tennis fan and there are John McEnroe’s favourite words when he was a player: ‘You cannot be serious!’ I have heard myself say that when I have listened to Government, my Government, our Government, talking about visas and applying for visas.

“People are running for their lives and we’re asking them to find a place and apply? My goodness, you cannot be serious. Should we still be looking through our domestic lens about what our people will say if too many people come to our country?

“I say that because I believe passionately that this is God’s world and we are here as God’s children to reach out and to build relationships, to name evil when we see it.”