Vancouver Archbishop calls for compassion toward Tamil refugees

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver’s Catholic Archbishop is wading into the furor around the Tamil migrants now in B.C.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller writes after the 492 migrants landed on B.C.’s shores, there was a hostile outcry about queue jumping and abuse of Canada’s immigration system and “the need to keep Canada from being overrun with would-be refugees.”

Miller says now is the time to remember the fundamental dignity of each human person. But he stresses the men, women and children must not become “scapegoats” in immigration debates.

He says while responsible governments need to find out the identities of newcomers so as not to open a door to a potential security risk, the Catholic Church maintains people who are victims of armed conflicts must be recognized as refugees and offered international protection.

Miller says Canada has a solid reputation as a nation of immigrants and refugees and a long of history of welcoming people seeking a haven from injustice. Miller’s comments come as polls suggest a majority of respondents support sending the migrants back to Sri Lanka.

To see the full statement from the Archbishop, go here.

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