In a recent statement, a bishop from the Church of England indicated that the church will not establish strict criteria for baptising asylum seekers due to the difficulty of discerning a person’s true beliefs. The decision comes after concerns arose about individuals falsely converting to Christianity to improve their chances of receiving asylum.
The Church, a prominent institution within the Anglican Communion, launched a review following reports of an Afghan man allegedly involved in a chemical attack in London who obtained asylum after claiming conversion to Christianity.
During a parliamentary committee meeting, Rev. Guli Francis-Dehqani acknowledged the need for potential revisions to the church’s guidance, stating, “How do you assess something that is in somebody’s heart? It is very, very difficult to do that.” She expressed skepticism that concrete criteria could ever be established.
The current guidance advises clergy to be discerning yet compassionate when ministering to asylum seekers, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and purity in their approach.
Migration minister Tom Pursglove addressed concerns about churches inadvertently enabling false asylum claims, highlighting the risks associated with supporting criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in the UK.
He suggested that certain elements of the church’s guidance may have political undertones, urging caution to ensure that actions do not inadvertently aid criminal enterprises.
While there is no conclusive evidence of churches actively facilitating fraudulent asylum claims, Pursglove emphasized the need for a vigilant approach to prevent unintended consequences that could perpetuate unsafe migration practices.
The ongoing discussion reflects broader debates within the Christian community and the UK’s immigration system about how best to support and protect asylum seekers while safeguarding against potential abuse of the process.
Both the Church of England and government officials are navigating complex ethical considerations in their efforts to balance compassion for vulnerable populations with the need for accountability and integrity in asylum proceedings.
As the dialogue continues, stakeholders are exploring ways to enhance safeguards and accountability measures without compromising the fundamental principles of compassion and support for those in need of refuge and sanctuary.
(This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 6)
(Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton and Nick Macfie)
