MORE than 100 Romanians fled their homes after a spate of racist attacks in Belfast this week and it was the Church that provided their initial refuge.

The speed with which Pastor Malcolm Morgan and his team created a temporary home for 20 families was described as “remarkable” as the community sought to show a united front against racism.

So how inclusive is the Church in Dorset and if a similar situation erupted here, would they help?

Churches in central Bournemouth make a deliberate effort to be cosmopolitan, “especially the Roman Catholic Church,'” according to Father Anthony Pennicott at the Sacred Heart Church.

“Catholic means ‘universal’,” he said.

“We cater for the larger foreign minorities, providing Mass for the Portuguese and Polish, and at English masses making scripture readings available in eight different languages.

“There is no room in the Christian Church for racism and we would certainly do all we can to assist anyone suffering a racial attack or seeking asylum,” Father Pennicott added.

“It is common sense to expect visitors to respect the primacy of the customs and language of the host country and not form ghettos, but to do their best to integrate, while at the same time preserving their own cultural traditions and heritage.

“The government should aid this by moderating the inflow and deployment of immigrants, so as to avoid unbalancing employment or social structures, which would encourage racial tension, making British people feel threatened. It is a question of getting the right balance.”

Eddie Martin is a church leader at Pinehurst Chapel in West Moors, but also works on the railways alongside many Eastern Europeans.

“No one has the right to demean another human being,” he said. “From a Christian point of view, everyone should be treated the same. “Most of the cleaners with the railways are Eastern European and lovely people. They do jobs that lots of British people would not want to do!”

Two years ago, The Father’s House Church in Winton helped an Iranian woman living in Bournemouth escape deportation when they feared her life was in danger if she returned to Iran. Pastor John and his wife Claire Dallison worked tirelessly to ensure her safety.

Claire told me: “The Church should be above political agendas and racial stigma and must follow the example of Jesus by showing compassion towards the oppressed, poor and needy.

“Our church always endeavors to help people on an individual basis and with regard to specific need.”

Solomon Nathanial, originally from India, now lives in Poole working as an Asian Evangelist and social worker. He said: “The world has shrunk and it is better for us to work together. It is important that we accept people on face value. “God made us all equal and if we treat people who come to this country well, then they will be good to us when we go to theirs. “If Jesus came to England now, people might not talk to him as he was not as white as artists portray. He was a foreigner; after all, he came from Heaven!”