Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal-elect Nichols said the coalition Government’s welfare policies were leaving increasing numbers of its own citizens facing ‘hunger and destitution’ while its immigration policy was based on ‘a discourse of fear.’

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said the welfare system had also become increasingly ‘punitive,’ often leaving people with nothing for days on end if they fail to fill a form in correctly and it was ‘a disgrace’ that this was possible.

The cardinal-elect made the comments before he left for Rome this week to receive a red cardinal’s hat from Pope Francis at tomorrow’s consistory.

“People do understand that we do need to tighten our belts and be much more responsible and careful in public expenditure,” the cardinal-elect said. “But I think what is happening is two things: One is that the basic safety net that was there to guarantee that people would not be left in hunger or in destitution has actually been torn apart.

“It no longer exists and that is a real, real dramatic crisis.

“And the second is that, in this context, the administration of social assistance, I am told, has become more and more punitive. So if applicants don’t get it right then they have to wait for 10 days, for two weeks with nothing—with nothing. For a country of our affluence, that quite frankly is a disgrace.”

Expanding on his comments at a press conference at his London residence on Tuesday, the cardinal-elect also condemned the British Government’s immigration policy saying he wanted senior politicians to ‘appeal to something more normal and more substantial than fear.’

“I think we really should have a positive appreciation of the contribution that people who come to this country make to our well-being and economy,” he said. “We should not have a discourse about immigration which is based on fear. I think it is—quite frankly—a lack of political leadership if we fashion a debate around fear.”

The senior clergyman’s comments drew a personal response from Prime Minister David Cameron, who said his welfare reforms were part of his ‘moral mission’ to improve the country.

“We are in the middle of a long and difficult journey turning our country around,” the Prime                  Minister said.

“Seeing these reforms through is at the heart of our long-term economic plan—and it is at the heart, too, of our social and moral mission in politics today.”

Cardinal-elect Nichols is one of 19 clergymen from around the world who will be elevated to cardinals this weekend, the highest rank of Catholic clergy short of the Papacy.

This consistory comes in the middle of a crucial week for Pope Francis as he meets with he met with his Council of Cardinals, two commissions of inquiry on Vatican finance, which will report their recommendations for reform, while further plans will be put in place for the forthcoming Vatican Synod on Marriage and the Family.

—This story ran in full in the Feb 21 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.