London bishops join in support of migrant workers

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, was joined by Archbishop Kevin and Bishop Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, in Westminster Cathedral on 1^st May, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker. They celebrated Mass in support of migrant workers alongside the ethnic chaplains who work in London. Among the concelebrants were Bishop Paul Hendricks and Canon James Cronin, the Southwark Co-ordinator of Black and Ethnic Minority Chaplains. The Mass was offered in the presence of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, and the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Gregorios. Also present were Ambassadors and High Commissioners from countries with migrants working in London.

Westminster Cathedral was full and the estimated 2,000 congregation, mostly migrant workers and their families, prayed and sang in many different languages. The joint initiative for this Mass lay with the dioceses whose territories include London – Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster. It had the support of London Citizens, a community-based organisation which includes many Catholic Churches as members. London Citizens held a 'living wage' rally in the cathedral piazza following the Mass.

Archbishop Kevin with the Cardinal and Bishop McMahon outside Westminster Cathedral with the Papal Nuncio on the right

The Cardinal with Archbishop Kevin and Bishop McMahon

Archbishop Kevin and Bishop Paul Hendricks with Bishop Bernard Longley, Auxiliary in Westminster

Archbishop Kevin meets migrant workers

Archbishop Kevin enjoys the music and dancing

Archbishop Kevin and Mr Jack Dromey, deputy general-secretary of the TGWU, await the start of the Rally

The Cardinal opens the London Citizens Rally

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, addresses the Rally