New immigration policy could muffle freedom of worship

Globalvisas.com has expressed concerns over new immigration policies that could hinder freedom of worship in the UK.  New policy would change the way a minister of religion enters the country and make it considerably more difficult to do so.

Currently all that is need for a minister of religion to enter the UK now is an invitation from a congregation.  When new immigration policies are put into effect the minister of religion would need to have a government sponsor.

The director of globalvisas, Liam Clifford, said that "Many British citizens hold sacred and take for granted their freedom to worship, which makes the UK one of the most tolerant and respected societies in the world. However, this could all change if the government successfully introduces laws that make it more difficult for ministers of religion from outside the EU to enter the UK to address their congregations. It is worrying if the government successfully introduces these restrictions without people knowing what is happening and being aware of the implications."

"It begs the question: does the government intend to exercise this new power after going to the effort of introducing it? For example, might they invoke their new right to refuse sponsorship of ministers of religion? Maybe Catholics who disagree too loudly with abortion laws or Islamic preachers who oppose UK foreign policies could find their sponsors unable to invite them to the UK? This would, of course, be a worrying curtailment of our right to worship and one everybody needs to question," added Clifford

www.globalvisas.com