By Curtis LancasterBBC News
PA MediaThe interior minister is investigating how the asylum system treats migrants who converted to Christianity.
It follows claims from a Weymouth church that Muslim men living on board the barge Bibby Stockholm, moored off the coast of Portland in Dorset, were preparing for Christian baptism.
Sussex MP Tim Loughton raised the issue in Parliament on Wednesday.
Weymouth Baptist Church insisted the baptism claims were genuine.
People can claim asylum in the UK on the basis of their religion if you have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country because of your religious beliefs.
Dave Rees, an elder at Weymouth Baptist Church, defended his decision to welcome the men – 40 in total, six of whom had already been baptized.
Talk to BBC Radio 4 SundayHe said the church had a pastor who spoke Farsi and knew the language and culture of the asylum seekers.
“Because we had that connection, we were confident that the measures we had in place and the control we had, there was no reason for us to doubt these asylum seekers,” Mr. Rees.
He said some men said they were Christians in their home countries, while others had completed the 10-week Alpha course in the United Kingdom, an evangelical program run by local churches.
“Obviously we have to make sure that they believe in Jesus, that they believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that they repent of their sins and that they also want to start a new life in the Church,” he said.
“And they must give a public testimony at their baptism, which they did in a native language and which was translated into English.”
After this process, he declared that there were no qualms on the part of the Church regarding men’s faith in Christianity.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Loughton asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: “Given the Church of England has now issued secret guidance to clergy supporting asylum claims for these conversions damascened, before whom must the Church be accountable?
“And are taxpayers being ripped off by the archbishop?”
Mr Sunak confirmed that Home Secretary James Cleverly had asked for more information about migrants converting to Christianity.
Following questions from the Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury issued the following statement: “Over the past week it has been disappointing to see a misinterpretation of the role of churches and religious groups in the asylum system.
“Churches across the country are getting involved in caring for vulnerable people from all backgrounds.
“For refugees and asylum seekers, we simply follow the Bible’s teaching of caring for the stranger.
“It is up to the government to protect our borders and the courts to judge asylum cases.
“The Church is called to love, to show mercy and to do justice. I encourage everyone to avoid irresponsible and inaccurate comments – and let us not forget that at the heart of this conversation are vulnerable people whose life is precious in the sight of God.”
Getty ImagesThe Bibby Stockholm became fully operational in October 2023.
The ship is chartered by the government to accommodate around 500 people while their asylum applications are processed.
The Interior Ministry faced questions about living conditions on the barge after a MPs said migrants housed there were in ‘small, cramped cabins’ which harmed their mental health.
The visit took place after Leonard Farruku27 years old, was found unconscious on board the ship on December 12.
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