London - Britain's Catholic bishops weighed into the thorny dispute over asylum-seekers yesterday, saying the heated political debate has given rise to hostility, alarm and fear. The bishops, meeting at their annual conference in London, urged better understanding towards refugees and criticised the government's plan to scatter immigrants across the country.
"The Conference views with particular anxiety the prospect that, as asylum-seekers are dispersed around the country, they may face increased isolation and be vulnerable to abuse and hostility," the bishops said in a statement.
