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Bishop Richard will preside at the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton’s first Mass for Migrants on Sunday, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Brighton. The Mass, which is being organised in conjunction with Citizens UK, will celebrate the significant and enriching contribution that migrants make to the Diocese and to the country, with attendees including the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, and the leader of the City Council.

The teachings of the Catholic Church highlight the dignity of every person and the importance of “welcoming the stranger”, with Sunday’s Mass offering an important opportunity to mark the contribution of people born elsewhere in the world, who bring their talents, experiences, culture, and knowledge with them to the UK.

The first Migrants' Mass was jointly organised by the Catholic Diocese of Westminster and Citizens UK and took place in London in 2006. Reflecting on the significance of the celebration in Arundel & Brighton, Bishop Richard said:

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“I am grateful to all in the St Joseph’s community and to others in the Diocese who, together with Citizens UK, have worked so hard to prepare for the Mass for Migrants.  The presence in this country and, more locally, in this Diocese, of so many from different countries and cultures is a great blessing.

“The gifts present in everyone make for a society enriched with talents beyond our imagining. To be able to celebrate the wonder of this blessing with Citizens UK is a real joy, as we look to a future in which we increasingly work together for the Common Good.”

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Citizens UK has been working closely with Catholic communities across England and Wales for more than 30 years, campaigning on issues such as access to mental health support, the Real Living Wage for care workers, and affordable housing.

The charity has community organising alliances across the City of Brighton & Hove in universities, schools, colleges, synagogues, and churches – including St Joseph’s, Brighton and St John the Baptist, Kemptown, in the Catholic Parish of East Brighton.

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