Bishop of the Canary Islands calls for co-operation on migration

The Bishop of the Canary Islands has called on the international community and Europe to seek a solution to the migration problems affecting the archipelago and has asked that the issue not be used to “sow fear” nor to “seek votes, do easy politics or seek political polarization”.

Speaking at an event celebrating Gran Canaria’s patron, the Virgin of the Pine, Bishop José Mazuelos also called for “international cooperation” so that people are not forced to migrate due to hunger, wars or lack of a future, and also in the fight against the gangs that promote the crossings.

The Canaries received 46,843 migrants in pateras (small boats) last year, almost 10,000 more than the UK.