ANGELA YOUNGMAN reports that the cathedral is only the second in the UK to be awarded the status in a reflection of its works with refugees and asylum seekers…
Updated: 9am, 25th October, 2023 (AEDT)
Norwich, UK
Chester Cathedral has become the second in the UK to be granted ‘Cathedral of Sanctuary’ status, reflecting the cathedral’s extensive work with refugees and asylum seekers.
A view of Chester Cathedral in the UK. PICTURE: Martina Jorden/Unsplash
Inderjit Bhoghal, of the ecumenical organisation Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, which is responsible for the Churches of Sanctuary initiative, told Sight that the move “provides recognition of the way in which Chester Cathedral is providing a welcome, a community where people can find sanctuary and help, and links with organisations and the wider community”.
“The only other cathedral with this status is Derby but others are working towards this status.”
“[This] provides recognition of the way in which Chester Cathedral is providing a welcome, a community where people can find sanctuary and help, and links with organisations and the wider community”.
– Inderjit Bhoghal, of Churches Together
In addition to the two cathedrals, there are 12 churches of sanctuary nationwide including St Nicholas in Bristol and Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church in Birmingham.
The idea of a ‘Cathedral of Sanctuary’ re-emerged in the UK during the 1980’s and 1990’s when there were a number of high-profile cases involving refugees taking sanctuary in churches in what were ultimately unsuccessful attempts to stop deportations. Unlike the medieval concept of providing sanctuary in which debtors and criminals were protected within the designated church and precincts, a modern ‘Cathedral of Sanctuary’ has no legal status.
Today, CTBI is helping promote and develop the concept of sanctuary. More than 100 towns, cities, villages and boroughs are working with this vision, along with universities and hundreds of schools.
Chester Cathedral, a Church of England cathedral, was named as a ‘Cathedral of Sanctuary’ earlier this month.
“Being a Cathedral [or a] Church of Sanctuary is a faith-based prophetic initiative and action, as a clear challenge to hostility,” stated Inderjit in comments provided to Sight. “We challenge hostility with protective hospitality. We commend you for all your commitment to continue and expand your work to stand up for justice – to intentionally embed a culture of welcome and hospitality throughout the culture of the cathedral, and to share your good work to inspire others.”
Dennis Thomas, recently appointed Chester Cathedral’s Ambassador for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. PICTURE: Courtesy of Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral has long been active in this sector, working with and organising community assistance. Earlier this year, the cathedral appointed Dennis Thomas, a volunteer verger, as its Ambassador for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Thomas, who has spent the past 12 months negotiating with the Home Office and other local and national government agencies to enable a Ukrainian family to come and stay with him, is tasked with seeking opportunities to extend links with refugees and asylum seekers and build links with authorities.
Canon Jane Brooke, vice dean of Chester Cathedral, chairs the Chester West and Chester strategic group for those working with asylum seekers and, together with Thomas, attends Chester’s City of Sanctuary group which was founded by the cathedral.
“Both Dennis and I are delighted with the Cathedral of Sanctuary Award which recognises the work by our volunteers and members of our congregation. We look forward to future challenges,” said Brooke in a statement.
Under the sanctuary initiatives, cathedral and church congregations in the area are called up whenever there is a need for support – such as providing sewing machines, bicycles or people to listen to reading and work with refugee children in schools and in addition, the cathedral offers space the annual refugee and asylum seeker week and hospitality for visiting groups.
Work is underway to encourage better understanding between faiths. Brooke is exploring her faith with young people in the mosque, and the cathedral is planning a reciprocal visit. In November, Chester Cathedral plan to hold an interfaith event, known as ‘Spirals of Peace’ enabling people of different faiths to explore what peace means within their faiths.
Kevin Baxter, communications director at Chester Cathedral, said the award “is not the end but an important part of the journey where we will plan to do more, working even more closely with partners as well as offering wider hospitality”.
