'Simplify the visa programme for all Ukrainian refugees'

London Baptists Team Leader Phil Barnard joined ecumenical partners calling for change in the the government's approach to the Ukraine crisis

Phil (second left) joined with other ecumenical partners from across London on Wednesday, 9 March, in writing to the Prime Minister, urging him to extend and simplify the visa programme for all Ukrainian refugees.

At a meeting at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, in the West End, the group heard from the Ukrainian Bishop, Kenneth Nowakowski about the current crisis and stood in solidarity with him and his people in their current existential struggle.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminister, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, chaired the meeting and agreed that the leaders should submit a joint letter to the Government encouraging a change in the current policy.

'How can mothers with young children, the elderly and the disabled, who have travelled a thousand miles, be expected to complete online application forms in a language foreign to them?' the letter reads.

The Faiths Minister, Kemi Badenoch, also attended the meeting and expressed thanks to the churches for all that they have been doing during the pandemic.

Phil added, 'We continue to pray for an end to the bloodshed in that war-torn land and for those seeking to negotiate a lasting peace.'