Manchester Cathedral and six city centre churches have come together to produce a hard hitting Christmas Card which prays that the Government will end policies that force asylum seekers into destitution.

The card carries a picture of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing to Egypt. Inside the card contains a prayer for refugees, which says: "During the holy season of Christmas we remember the flight of the holy family to Egypt to avoid persecution, we pray for the safety of those escaping persecution around the world and especially of those who come to this county seeking asylum. The prayer ends by saying; "We pray for our government to end its policy of forcing asylum seekers into destitution."

Elizabeth Coleman, from the Friends Meeting House, said: "We all share a strong concern about the destitution of asylum seekers. We want to draw attention to those who are destitute in our own county."

The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, Rogers Govender, said; "The Christmas message is not just about Christmas trees and presents, it is also about justice for those who are most in need. Mary and Joseph were refuges shortly after the birth of Jesus, fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod. That first Christmas story reminds us, however difficult it is to hear, that God wants us to show hospitality, to welcome the stranger and show compassion to those in need.

"Many people will never have realised that the baby Jesus was a refugee. I hope that as people see or worship the refugee baby Jesus this year, I hope they will reflect on their attitudes to today's refugees.  I hope people will find it in their heart to pray and write to their MP or the Prime Minister and ask them to end the policies that are forcing asylum seekers into destitution."

The group behind the card are Manchester City Centre Churches and include:

Manchester Cathedral

St Anne's Church

St Mary's Church (Hidden Gem)

Methodist Centre

Cross stare Chapel

Friends meeting House

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The picture on the front of the card is "The flight to Egypt" painted in 1450 by Fra Angelico

The card is being sold in aid of local refugee charities.

Elizabeth Coleman is available for interview on: 0161 834 5797, 07969 385080

Call David Marshall on 07836 224444