In a letter to be read out in the hundreds of churches across the Diocese of Norwich, Bishop Graham James suggests ways in which people can help those affected by the fast-developing humanitarian crisis. Bishop Graham said: “The vast humanitarian crisis in Syria and elsewhere which has led to thousands of refugees arriving in Europe concerns us all and has touched the hearts of many. "The horrors and indignities that so many refugees suffer are terrible to contemplate. Already the Churches and many Christian people have urged our Government to respond compassionately and said that we can be counted on to give support. “Here in the Diocese of Norwich we are seeking to do three things.
“Norfolk and Waveney has a long history of welcoming migrants and refugees, those strangers have enriched our lives here. More recently Norwich has received Congolese refugees under the UN Gateway programme. We seek to be hospitable. We hope the Government will be increasingly generous in the provision which it makes. We believe many people in our churches will give a heartfelt and generous welcome to those fleeing persecution and hardship and coming to us in great need. “Please pray for peace and justice and do what you can to contribute to countless individual acts of compassion,” said Bishop Graham. Full details of these initiatives, with advice and further information on ways, to help are contained on a page on the Diocese of Norwich website Pictured above are Syrian refugees in front of Budapest railway station earlier this month. Picture courtesy of Mstyslav Chernoc.