JRS-UK Community Blog

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Louise Zanré, Director of JRS UK, shares her vision for a better world and invites us to join advocacy efforts alongside refugees to make the case for their dignity
Advocacy is one of the three parts of the JRS mission. We often spend a lot more time on accompaniment and service - I suspect because many of us attracted to working for JRS are what I think of as being at heart "people persons". We derive energy and inspiration from being present both with and two the people we accompany. We build relationships and endeavour to offer and to receive hope, dignity and justice through those relationships. And we often do not make enough of the advocacy opportunities we have had and the fact that peoples' lives are changed as a result.

Being a "people person" myself I get a great deal of pleasure from meeting new people and having the opportunity of explaining to them a little about the reality of the lives of the people we accompany, whether those left destitute by the asylum system in the UK or those who have been detained, and the work of JRS. As a person of faith and conviction I base much of that message I share on the values underpinning the mission of JRS. I dream of a new world of dignity and justice, where everyone is treated with equality and compassion. I hope that, when I speak to groups, or at events; when I have meetings with civil servants, politicians; when I attend network meetings of partner organisations; when I write articles, that I am able to speak with truth, compassion and with passion and that the people I address or meet with are better equipped to conceive of and to want to work towards that new world.

It is a big ask - of myself and of those listening - and I am sure that I am not always as effective as I might be. It is also a big ask as we are up against so much. There are too many myths about refugees and asylum seekers. The world is far from perfect and sometimes the issues we are confronted with can seem to be insurmountable. It is difficult to know what response to make to the fact that so many people are being forced to risk dangerous journeys to get to Europe; to the fears that so many people have over competition for resources, jobs, housing or health care provision.

However it is especially at this time when things can seem to be so dark and depressing that it is of particular importance that we do try our best to counter a prevailing message of blame, of not being able to be generous, of not being able to participate together in society.

A new immigration bill was announced recently in the Queen's speech. Unsurprisingly, the highlights make for pretty depressing reading - landlords having to check immigration status of prospective tenants to determine if they can legally rent housing to them, appeal rights only being permissible in immigration cases after deportation, making it more difficult for immigrants to get bank accounts, making money earned from illegal working the proceeds of criminal activity and therefore able to be confiscated, to name a very few. On top of existing restrictions they make the UK a very unwelcoming place indeed.

In the face of this we all need to be diligent advocates. We will be sharing with you campaigns against particular measures - whether to stop indefinite detention; to try and convince our government to resettle more refugees; or to lobby MPs about the immigration bill. But we will also be asking you to listen to the experiences of our refugee friends, their hopes and dreams. And we will be asking you to work with us to dream a new world, to try to be more welcoming ourselves in everything we do or say, to challenge injustice and to pray and reflect. Without our refugee friends and without you, nothing I nor JRS can do will substantially change things.

Bianca Venkata is a volunteer member of the JRS UK detention-outreach team and visits detainees at an immigration removal centre in the UK.
If you would like to join as a volunteer, come and visit JRS UK Volunteering.

Greetings in different languages!

JRS Volunteer Marguerite recounts her enjoyment of attending a special event for migrants this month.

‘The Mass for Migrants has been celebrated every May bank holiday since 2006, when it was first introduced by the then Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor; at the suggestion of London Citizens. The Cardinal’s call at that Mass is for a more just treatment of migrants rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Each year since then the event has reminded London of the invaluable contribution of so many migrants to the city’s society and economy. It offers a profound witness to the Church’s insistence that the dignity of the human person is God-given and never withdrawn and reminds us of the deep resonance with refugee and asylum seekers.’ (Extract from introduction in Mass booklet)

It was my privilege to be able to be there yesterday at a packed Westminster Cathedral. Before the Mass commenced the colourful and joyful procession of different migrant communities with their banners, music and dressed in their national clothes was indeed an Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia celebration. Bishop Patrick Lynch, one of the auxiliary bishops of Southwark, concelebrated with approximately fifty priests from Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood dioceses. It was noticeable that almost a third of the priests were from outside Europe. A blessing for our Church here in England and Wales today. VIPs included mayors/mayoresses from different boroughs of London, MPs, ambassadors of various countries and representatives from other faiths and Christian denominations. But THE VIPs were the migrants, each and everyone present from all over the world not only in this great city of London but in UK. Bidding prayers were in Polish, Mandarin, Swahili, French, Portuguese, Tagalog and English, a wee taste of the languages spoken in London churches. When the Our Father was prayed each according to their own native tongue, it did remind me of Pentecost! Poignantly, given recent events in his country, the Communion anthem was performed by a Ukranian soloist.

It would not do justice to Patrick Lynch’s profound homily to try to share what he said and I wish I had a copy to write it here. He quoted strongly from Evangelii Gaudium. He highlighted two main areas: Human Trafficking and Children of undocumented migrant workers, ‘no way in and no way out’ in their plight. Hopefully those present who have the clout to do something will not turn a deaf ear. As a volunteer at L’Arche and Jesuit Refugee Services, I have no clout, but that does not exempt me from not turning a deaf ear to God’s message for me. I found myself inspired, challenged, disturbed and consoled, all at the same time as I left the Cathedral and made my way to Colnbrook detention center for my weekly visit there.

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A personal reflection from a JRS volunteer, Sr Juliana, who offers her thoughts after being with JRS for a couple of months...

My journey at Jesuit Refugee Service, it all started during our CSJP's Congregation (Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) experience here in London, as we explore where God is calling and leading us for future ministries in accordance with the signs of times and the needs of the world today. Right form that day something really touched and stayed with me, I felt something within, is had to name and to express what it is.

JRS as an international catholic non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people; is very much in line with our Charism of Peace through Justice. The question is often asked, why on earth should one had anything to do with ex-offenders, law breakers. Others feel that these people should get what they deserve and go where they belong. This attitude deeply touched and challenged me when I hear these words towards refugees and asylum seekers. At the same time what a remarkable witness of people who are willing to risk their lives by trying to live against this way of thinking, the logic and standards of the world; by working with people on the margins, helping those that nobody wants to help in terms of political, socio-economic and national policies and structures. With individuals not given a fair and good hearing and unfairly treated.

As a CSJP invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, I questioned myself how do I live and apply the Charism of Peace through Justice where people are not respected, believed in or listened to and considered as individuals and persons?  Why do I choose to go to JRS? It was because as CSJP I am called to live and think differently from the logic and standards of the world, to live in a new way the concept of basic human rights – our common humanity that fosters mutuality equality. I was welcomed within the team at JRS, making it possible for me to fit in very well, and we really worked very well together.

The situations of all those that visit the centre are very complex, difficult and sad, but the team acting as a community where everyone is family really makes a huge difference for the friends receiving service. As Henri Nouwen said: "Hospitality is primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy". I was involved in the administration (updating files, reception and welcoming); Day Centre (variety) and the women's group. The main purpose of the work with the women is to see to their personal well-being - physical, emotional, moral and spiritual (activities like relaxation exercises, reflexology and contemplative prayer circle are offered to help them) All of this aims to create a place for them just "TO BE", a time of relaxation and companionship. For me, the group itself was a witness: there are no barriers, no best way, no better language, and no better expression! We relate to God as we are and in the same way we relate to one anther. There were times when I was challenged and really experienced my own poverty, because many times I didn't feel I was actually doing anything, I had just to sit with the participants, even if communication was difficult. The communication of acceptance, equality and that atmosphere of shared common humanity spoke more than anything indeed. I became aware that sometimes even without words my attitudes can be discriminating and marginalizing of others. My experience at JRS, what really stayed with me is that "If I can't change people's situation, but I will try to love them".

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