Chief Rabbi backs Welby’s right to speak out

Mirvis says religious leaders set moral tone, and Government should listen to experts on refugees

THE Chief Rabbi has backed the Archbishop of Canterbury’s right to intervene on the Government’s policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Ephraim Mirvis waded into the debate regarding faith leaders’ commenting on matters of state. He said it is the imperative of “religious leaders to set a moral tone for our society”, adding that ministers “should listen carefully to what experts in the field are saying” about the Rwanda scheme.

Last month, Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, signed a memorandum with Rwanda agreeing to send refugees who arrive in the UK illegally to east Africa.

The policy sparked criticism from the Most Rev Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who used his Easter sermon to criticise No10 and say that not only was the scheme the “opposite of the nature of God”, but also raised “serious ethical questions”.

The comments prompted the Prime Minister and Ms Patel to appear to accuse the Archbishop of failing to “understand” the policy, and having “misconstrued” it, while other Conservative MPs said that the Church should not meddle in matters of state.

The Archbishop again hit back, claiming that the institution is not a “passive observer of migration policy”.

However, in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph while visiting Ukrainian refugees being supported by World Jewish Relief in Krakow, Poland, the Chief Rabbi backed the Archbishop’s assertion that religious leaders should be able to comment on the repercussions of government policies.

Asked about the debate surrounding the intervention of faith leaders in matters of state, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “It is definitely correct for religious leaders to speak about morality, to set a tone and to give a direction for our society.

“When it comes to the granular details of policy: what should be done? What should not be done? That’s for the Government. And, certainly, it’s for religious leaders to set a moral tone for our society. Absolutely.”

The Chief Rabbi, 66, added that Britain’s history regarding refugees is “impressive”, and that “many members of our Jewish community are beneficiaries of the track record of successive British governments”.

However, he added: “There is enormous sensitivity with regard to the lives and future of people. And we need as a society to be moral, to do what is correct. But with regard to the specific Rwanda policy, one wonders if it actually will ever be implemented.

“But if it’s going to be implemented, the Government should listen carefully to what experts in the field are saying.”

However, Chief Rabbi Mirvis also described the current asylum system as “inoperable”.

He added: “It’s leading to people smugglers [taking advantage]... to some tragic deaths. People’s lives are being put at risk. I don’t envy the Government and the Home Secretary. And thinking of creative solutions is the right thing we should be doing.

“With regards to Rwanda, our government should listen carefully to what experts are saying. The whole refugee situation is exceptionally complex.

“And we need to be sensitive to the needs of refugees. How do you differentiate between different types? What are you doing for them? What message is that sending? What about the moral character of our country?”

The Chief Rabbi holds regular private meetings with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

The Home Office has defended the Rwanda policy, saying the UK has a “proud history” of supporting those in need and resettlement programmes.