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Cardinal makes plea on immigrants Cardinal makes plea on immigrants
(about 2 hours later)
People should do more to welcome immigrants, the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales says.People should do more to welcome immigrants, the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales says.
In his Christmas address at Midnight Mass, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said he understood the need for immigration to be controlled.In his Christmas address at Midnight Mass, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said he understood the need for immigration to be controlled.
However, immigrants must feel "simply excluded because they are outsiders", the Archbishop of Westminster said. However, immigrants feel "simply excluded because they are outsiders", the Archbishop of Westminster said.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury will call for people to look after the planet in his Christmas sermon.Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury will call for people to look after the planet in his Christmas sermon.
'Comfort and joy''Comfort and joy'
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said in his Christmas Homily, broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, that the celebration of the birth of Christ was for everyone.Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said in his Christmas Homily, broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, that the celebration of the birth of Christ was for everyone.
Many of these people are trying, for perfectly good reasons, to enter Britain and they need to be welcomed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'ConnorMany of these people are trying, for perfectly good reasons, to enter Britain and they need to be welcomed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
He urged Christians to ensure that "nothing and nobody remains untouched by the tidings of comfort and joy that came from heaven on the first Christmas night".He urged Christians to ensure that "nothing and nobody remains untouched by the tidings of comfort and joy that came from heaven on the first Christmas night".
The cardinal said: "A theme which is much in the news in Britain at the moment is the question of the many immigrant peoples who come to our country.The cardinal said: "A theme which is much in the news in Britain at the moment is the question of the many immigrant peoples who come to our country.
"Most immigrants come to our country because they wish to have a better life and work so as to provide for their families."Most immigrants come to our country because they wish to have a better life and work so as to provide for their families.
"What concerns me at the moment is our attitude as a nation to these many immigrants," he continued."What concerns me at the moment is our attitude as a nation to these many immigrants," he continued.
"Many of these people are trying, for perfectly good reasons, to enter Britain and they need to be welcomed."Many of these people are trying, for perfectly good reasons, to enter Britain and they need to be welcomed.
"I understand that immigration needs to be controlled. However, sometimes they must feel like Joseph when he returned to Bethlehem after exile in Egypt, simply excluded because they are outsiders.""I understand that immigration needs to be controlled. However, sometimes they must feel like Joseph when he returned to Bethlehem after exile in Egypt, simply excluded because they are outsiders."
'Survival at risk''Survival at risk'
In a Christmas morning sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury will tell his congregation that more effort is "clearly required of us" to live side by side.In a Christmas morning sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury will tell his congregation that more effort is "clearly required of us" to live side by side.
Dr Rowan Williams will say: "The whole point of creation is that there should be persons... capable of intimacy with God - not so that God can gain something, but so that these created beings may live in joy.Dr Rowan Williams will say: "The whole point of creation is that there should be persons... capable of intimacy with God - not so that God can gain something, but so that these created beings may live in joy.
We don't just put our material survival at risk, more profoundly we put our spiritual sensitivity at risk Dr Rowan WilliamsWe don't just put our material survival at risk, more profoundly we put our spiritual sensitivity at risk Dr Rowan Williams
"God's way of making sure that this joy is fully available is to join humanity on Earth so that human beings may recognise what they are and what they are for.""God's way of making sure that this joy is fully available is to join humanity on Earth so that human beings may recognise what they are and what they are for."
Dr Williams will warn that if people threaten the planet there will be repercussions.Dr Williams will warn that if people threaten the planet there will be repercussions.
"When we threaten the balance of things, we don't just put our material survival at risk, more profoundly we put our spiritual sensitivity at risk - the possibility of being opened up to endless wonder by the world around us.""When we threaten the balance of things, we don't just put our material survival at risk, more profoundly we put our spiritual sensitivity at risk - the possibility of being opened up to endless wonder by the world around us."
Respect for fellow people is also necessary, he will say.Respect for fellow people is also necessary, he will say.
"The delight and reverence we should have towards the things of creation is intensified many times where human relationships are concerned," he will say at Canterbury Cathedral."The delight and reverence we should have towards the things of creation is intensified many times where human relationships are concerned," he will say at Canterbury Cathedral.
"And if peace is to be more than a pause in open conflict, it must be grounded in this passionate amazed reverence for others.""And if peace is to be more than a pause in open conflict, it must be grounded in this passionate amazed reverence for others."