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The Anglican Free Communion “The Episcopal Free Church” The Free Protestant Episcopal Church
Pastoral Letter: Migrants and Refugees
Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK - September 3, 2015
Dear Sisters and Brothers and Friends of the Communion, Many of us have seen pictures of the plight of Migrants and Refugees seeking some form of asylum on the European mainland. The sights we see are distressing, and our hearts and prayers go out to these people. As a Communion that has a presence in many countries of the world, it is truly a international community and we should always be mindful of the needs of many displaced people experiencing profound hardship and uncertainty in what has become a broken and fragmented world. We are reminded in the Book of Genesis that God looked out on all that was made and it was very good. We now look out on a world despoiled by sin and suffering. We should not fail to notice how humans have fallen terribly short of their divine beginnings, and still claim a dominion and power. Even, sadly, the very faiths that have manifested themselves have contributed to death and destruction. For many of us who have the comfort of stability and safety, let us always continue to realise that the way of the Cross is identifiable with the cries of men, women and children in desperate situations and circumstances. As the season changes, in whatever form it takes across the world, let us unite in prayer for the world and its needs. Next year we might even unite with the Roman Communion in making it a year of Mercy. We all need to ask for forgiveness at the state of the world God loved so much. With my blessings and friendship, .
My love and blessings to all our people across our many provinces,
The Most Rev’d Dr. Richard Arthur Palmer Archbishop Primus