A new full-time Anglican chaplain has been appointed to strengthen work among rising numbers of migrants settling, often in tents and shanties, around sea ports in northern France.
The Rev. Canon Kirrilee Reid is leaving her current post as the rector of a rural church in Perth and Kinross in Scotland to boost the presence of the Church’s Pas-de-Calais chaplaincy team.
The post of chaplain and refugee projects officer is intended to boost coordination on both sides of the England Channel, to ensure migrants and their families receive the care and support they need.
A similar role was created in Kent by the Diocese of Canterbury three years ago. The new role is thanks to a partnership between the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe and Diocese of Canterbury, as well as the Anglican mission agency United Society Partners in the Gospel.
“I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Kirrilee to this strategic post at a crucially significant time for the Pas-de-Calais chaplaincy and the people it serves,” said the Rt. Rev. Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe. “Kirrilee brings extensive experience of the Church, a passion for social justice, and sustained involvement in working with migrants and refugees to her new ministry.”
Reid, who was born in Australia, will be licensed to her new ministry on Nov. 8.
John Martin
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
