Bishop Paul McAleenan, Chair of the Office for Migration Policy at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has responded to the tragedy of four deaths including two children after a migrant boat sank in the Channel.
He said: “All who value human life, whatever their position on migrants and refugees, will be united in sorrow following yesterday’s tragedy in the Channel. Immediate thoughts should be with the adults and children who died, their families wherever they are in the world, and their companions who will remember forever what they witnessed. It is hoped that no one will want to make a mere political point because of the incident. What is truly needed is a meeting of minds. That will require a shifting of mindset on the part of those who set the rules, and the pursuit of heartless profiteers to ensure that no one feels compelled or encouraged to risk their life or that of their children, in a dangerous craft on the open sea.”
