News   /   Politics

UK plan to send refugees to Rwanda ungodly, says Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (R) speaks during the Lord Mayor's Banquet in central London on November 15, 2021. (File photo by AFP)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plan to send asylum seekers arriving in Britain to the African country of Rwanda is ungodly, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will say.

In condemnation of the proposal in his Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday, the top clergy will describe the UK Government's plan as the "opposite of the nature of God".

The senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England will say the Government must change its plan because there are "serious ethical questions about sending asylum seekers overseas." The proposed plan "cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility as a country formed by Christian values."

“Sub-contracting out our responsibilities ... is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures,” he will say, adding, "The principle must stand the judgment of God, and it cannot."

In related news, the leader of the world Catholics, Pope Francis, said segregation and racism were behind Western countries policies regarding asylum seekers and refugees fleeing war and conflict.

Speaking on Italian television station RAI on Friday, the head of the Catholic Church said the West also segregates the refugees based on their source of origin.

"The refugees are divided. First-class, second class, by skin color, whether you come from a developed country or a non-developed one," the former archbishop of Buenos Aires told RAI, noting, "We are racists...and that's bad."

Johnson’s plan is to send asylum seekers who arrive in the country on a one-way flight to Rwanda, a former British colony in Africa.

"I know there will be a vocal minority who will think these measures are draconian and lacking in compassion. I simply don’t agree,” Johnson said on Thursday in defense of his plan.

According to Johnson's plan, the UK has agreed to pay the Rwandan Government £120 million to deal with the refugees.

Johnson's plan has been described as "evil" and "cruel".

The UN Refugee Agency said the British government's agreement with the Rwandans raises grave human rights concerns, adding the UK's scheme violates international law.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku