News
Westminster Record | February 2014
Migrants’ Plight highlighted by Bishops and MPs on Thames By Jo Siedlecka
T
wo bishops, three MPs, a nun, a priest and an artist sailed past the Houses of Parliament in a tiny boat on World Migrants’ Day, 18 December, to show their support for refugees around the world. The same boat had previously sailed from North Africa to the Italian island of Lampedusa, crammed with 36 passengers - among them children and a heavily pregnant woman – who had to be rescued by the Italian coast guard. . Earlier last year artist Lucy Wood sailed the boat from Lampedusa to London to draw attention to the plight of migrants. She said: “Apart from replacing the engine, I've kept the boat in the same condition it was when I got it. There were bits of food and clothing, and two lifejackets.” Lucy says she wants people to see the boat to help them understand the conditions in which the refugees travel. “Each person paid £1,000 to travel on this" she said. "It's a very unstable vessel with no washing or toilet facilities. The river authorities here wouldn't allow more than seven passengers”. Sister Margaret Baxter said: "It takes a desperate situation to make people risk their lives on a journey like this. These people
News in Brief Derek Hyett is the new Deacon Bishop John Sherrington ordained Derek Hyett to the diaconate on Saturday 11 January at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward Church in Chiswick. Reflecting on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Bishop John invited all present to find their share in continuing the saving mission of Jesus Christ – a calling given to us at our own baptism. Deacon Derek will serve in Homerton parish while preparing for ordination to the priesthood in the near future.
The small boat sails past Big Ben on a cold December day to show solidarity with migrants worldwide
are fleeing from horrendous situations, and yet they are treated so badly, with little attention paid to international laws meant to protect them”.
Bellarmine Institute: “A beacon of true humility”
Showing their support for refugees on World Migrants’ Day in December: Passengers on the small boat were Bishop John Arnold, Anglican Bishop Jonathan Clark, Sarah Teather MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees, Simon Hughes MP, Rob Flello MP, Canon Pat Browne, Sr Margaret Baxter SSMN and artist Lucy Wood.
A Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, was held at Heythrop College to mark the forming of the Bellarmine Institute within the College on 20 January. The forming of the Institute comes after Heythrop College received ecclesiastical faculties by decree from the Congregation of Catholic Education. This means that Heythrop will be able to award ecclesiastical qualifications in conjunction with degrees of the University of London. In his homily Archbishop Vincent spoke of the missionary character of the college, which the ecclesiastical status strengthens and ended by saying: “I pray that the presence of this Institute within the University will be a great blessing for all the endeavours of the University, a beacon of true humanity and a light of divine grace.”
Mizens Recognised for Message of Peace
Barry and Margaret Mizen were awarded MBEs in the New Year Honours list
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Congratulations to Barry and Margaret Mizen, parents of the late Jimmy Mizen, on the award of MBEs after setting up a Foundation in their son's name to increase young people's awareness of the consequences of violent crime. Jimmy was killed in May 2008, one day after his 16th birthday, by a knife attack in a south-east London bakery. Jake Fahri is serving a life sentence for his murder. Their CitySafe campaign, which encourages young people to provide places of safety for others who are fleeing violence, has been in operation across London and Liverpool. Mr Mizen said he was "absolutely overwhelmed" and humbled at the recognition. "It speaks just as much about everyone else in the family and hundreds of others who support us as well," he commented. Margaret Mizen said that the Foundation was "going from strength to strength, which we are really proud about."
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