Methodist President Responds to Refugees

Tuesday 8th Sept.

President Tovia Aumua and Vice- President Arapera Ngaha of the Methodist Church, welcome the increase of refugees from Syria announced by the Prime Minister yesterday.

The announcement of 100 refugees this year and effectively 600 additional placements over two and a half years is to be commended, but we can and ought to do more. Our call is for New Zealand to double our refugee quota and to provide the additional funds that will support resettlement.

New Zealand needs to stand up and respond to refugees fleeing from Syria to Europe to escape war and poverty. While Europe is under immediate pressure this is a time is time for us on the far side of the world to show our solidary and respond.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is speaks to us clearly today to welcome and care for refugees.

The Methodist church strongly supports the call by the Anglican and Catholic Bishops to push for an additional quota and we urge the Prime Minister to take a stronger position by increasing the refugee numbers this year, as an immediate response to the crisis.

New Zealand can open the door to receive refugee families without delay and help to reduce the suffering and deaths in this mass migration.

The Prime Minister himself offers evidence of how refugees contribute to the life of this country, so now is the time to be the Good Samaritans of the 21st century.

President Tovia Aumua and Vice President Arapera Ngaha

Methodist Church, Te Hāhi Weteriana, Aotearoa New Zealand

ENDS

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