Justin Welby: I worry about damage caused by language on immigration

When Justin Welby spoke to the Parliamentary press gallery today, he took great care to emphasise a number of points. One was about the influence the Church of England has in public debate, and the other was about the church’s influence in local communities and the strength of its connections in those communities. He didn’t give the impression initially that he didn’t want to intervene in the public debate about immigration when asked about it, but then couldn’t resist commenting anyway. He told journalists that he was worried about the language in the debate, and that local churches were seeing a rise in racism, which he seemed to think was linked:

‘Yes I think with some people we have a duty of care. We also have a duty of care to the poorest of our own land, and to managing the process of immigration prudently and carefully but also generously and hospitably.