I’ll boycott BBC Songs of Praise filmed in my Calais camp church, vows Eritrean priest
A PRIEST whose church in a Calais migrant camp is set to feature in Songs of P raise plans to boycott the BBC’s production over fears that filming could endanger his family’s life.
Hagos Kesete is furious at the BBC’s decision to send a camera crew to the church, saying that producers have not asked permission to film.
The church leader’s criticism comes after the corporation was accused of wading into a politically sensitive issue by deciding to take its flagship religious programme to the migrant camp.
Mr Keste said his decision to pull out of the broadcast is due to fears that his relatives could face repercussions if the images are seen in his home country of Eritrea.
A UN report found that the East African dictatorship was guilty of ‘systematic and widespread’ human rights violations. Christians, such as those in the church’s congregation, have been targeted by government forces who often subjected them to torture and even execution.
Mr Kesete, 31, one of two senior priests who lead congregations at the ramshackle church, said: ‘People have a problem. They don ’t want cameras. Our government sees us on camera and maybe our family have a problem.’
The priest said he was ‘excited’ when informed by other migrants in the camp that the church had attracted the interest of the BBC. But he later decided that appear - ing on camera in widely broadcast images could pose a risk to his family in Africa. Speaking through a translator, he added: ‘I have fear inside. I am not happy to speak on video. The BBC has not asked me. I won’t appear on video.’
The clergyman admitted that he spends ‘every night ’ trying to ille - gally enter the UK and wanted to continue his work with the church after reaching England.
Work on the church, which has been christened St Michael’s, finished weeks ago after 35 volunteers used donated planks and tarpaulin to construct the building . The building is part of the growing camp on the outskirts of Calais known as the ‘New Jungle’ where more than 5,000 migrants are living.
The BBC has carried out some production work at the campsite, with filming expected to start tomorrow. About 70 worshippers gathered yesterday to sing Ethio - pian psalms and prayers during a three-hour ceremony at the church.
Mr Kesete, who trained as a priest for four years, reached Europe after a perilous journey across Africa to Libya where he and friends paid smugglers ‘a lot of money’ to take them to Italy. The group then spent two months travelling to Calais.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Programme details have yet to be finalised so we have nothing fur - ther to add at this stage.’