BBC Broadcast 'Songs of Praise' From Migrant Camp

[Teddy Bear]

We can see with this story how the BBC can divert attention from their undesired but mandatory religious programming to include their more desirable agenda.

BBC TO BROADCAST ‘SONGS OF PRAISE’ FROM CALAIS MIGRANT CAMP

by NICK HALLETT

The BBC is to broadcast an episode of its flagship religious show Songs of Praise from the migrant camp near Calais.

The episode, which will feature left-wing Anglican cleric Giles Fraser, is already in the process of being filmed, and The Sun reports that the full crew from the show will likely arrive this weekend.

Fraser – who famously quit as Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in support of the ‘Occupy London’ protests – told the paper: “They aren’t illegal immigrants, yet. I have no problem with the BBC filming Songs of Praise here. I think the church is the real thing. It is in the centre of the community.”

Filming was halted at one point, though, after one migrant insisted he should not be filmed. Another worshipper also confessed to having already tried to illegally enter the UK 30 times.

“I pray in church for good health so I can get to England. I know God will help me. I try every night to get to England,” Ezekiel Lala said.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell slammed the BBC’s decision, saying: “This is an insensitive thing to do. We are facing a grave crisis. The BBC should be careful not to start looking as if they are making political points out of this.”

Songs of Praise has been broadcasting services from churches and cathedrals across the UK for more than 50 years, but came in for heavy criticism last year after relaunching as a magazine-style show with a few added hymns.

The change angered viewers, including members of the clergy, who accused the BBC of removing any real Christian worship from the show. The Rev Sally Hitchiner, senior chaplain at Brunel University, told the BBC’s Points of View show: “I think there is a question as to whether or not this is inspiring us to worship or whether it’s just a whole load of nice people doing something in their community – and Songs of Praise should be about worship.”

One viewer tweeted yesterday:

[Teddy Bear]

Complaints have started to come in concerning this proposed BBC programme.
We can also see from this story why the BBC use the ex Canon Chancellor of St. Pauls, Giles Fraser to be their 'right-on priest'.
He's a regular contributor on Radio 4's Thought for the Day, as well as a panellist on the Moral Maze, a real BBC luvvie.

So why don't they pick somebody like Bishop Michael Nazir Ali, who resigned as a bishop so he could focus on trying to counter the Muslim persecution of Christians going on throughout the world - a REAL Christian?
Instead they pick somebody whose claim to fame is he resigned from his job as Canon Chancellor of St Paul's over the cathedral's decision to evict protesters from the Occupy camp outside.
A REAL LEFTY! - Any Christian credentials are incidental.

Songs of Praise from Calais migrant camp. How VERY BBC! Corporation under fire for decision to film flagship religious show in makeshift church

• BBC accused of wading into a sensitive political issue by sending staff
• At least nine people have already died trying to cross Calais to Britain
• Priest filmed in camp admits he tries to enter UK illegally every night
• Hagos Kesete, 31, leads congregations at ramshackle Christian church

By Mario Ledwith And Claire Duffin For The Daily Mail

The BBC was under fire last night for its decision to film a segment of Songs of Praise in a Calais migrant camp.

It was accused of wading into a sensitive political issue by sending staff from its flagship religious programme to France for a show to be broadcast next week.

At least nine people have already died trying to cross from Calais to Britain amid this summer's migrant crisis which has placed police and social services under huge strain.

Yesterday, as criticism mounted, a priest filmed by the BBC in the camp for Songs of Praise admitted he tries to enter the UK illegally every night.

Just hours after a BBC cameraman visited his makeshift church Hagos Kesete, 31, joined friends trying to evade police close to the Channel Tunnel entrance.

Mr Kesete is one of two priests who lead congregations at the ramshackle Christian church constructed by migrants from planks of wood and tarpaulin.

But when the Eritrean finishes performing services for the day, he becomes part of the migrant crisis that is crippling the French port.

Mr Kesete confessed that he has mounted desperate attempts to enter Britain 'every night' since arriving in Calais a month ago.

He said: 'It is very dangerous but we still try, even if it is difficult.'

Last night Conservative MP Damian Collins, who sits of the culture, media and sport committee, said: 'I don't think it is appropriate at all to insert Songs of Praise into what is a very complex political and international situation.

'Of course there are humanitarian concerns for the people involved but I don't think this will help at all.'

John O'Connell of the Taxpayers' Alliance added: 'The BBC should always be mindful of weighing into controversial issues, especially in programmes that are not specifically supposed to be about current affairs.'

A number of BBC producers and cameramen have already visited the camp and spoken to Mr Kesete. They are expected to return tomorrow, with presenter Sally Magnusson.

They will film a segment which will then be inserted into the programme next Sunday.

Mr Kesete said he would be part of a group of migrants who sing two songs and was 'excited' about appearing on TV. Work on his church finished a few weeks ago. It now attracts a 500-strong congregation each week.

The church is part of a growing camp on the outskirts of Calais where more than 5,000 migrants are living in desperate conditions. Some of the better houses have heavy-duty locks and chains on the doors.

Others are simply sticks covered in tarpaulin. Despite the grim conditions, many have tried to brighten their temporary homes with flower displays, pictures, mirrors and paintings. From the camp, each night migrants walk, hitchhike and even cycle to the port, or to the Tunnel entrance, where they try to board lorries of trains.

Thousands have tried over the last two weeks leading to clashes with police. Mr Kesete trained as a priest for four years in his war-torn home country before undertaking a perilous journey to Europe with a group of friends who are also living in the camp.

The group first travelled across Africa to Libya where they paid smugglers 'a lot money' to take them to Italy. The group then spent two months travelling to Calais.

Eritreans now form the second-largest group of migrants risking their lives to reach Italy, after Syrians.

Songs of Praise previously courted controversy by broadcasting from Strangeways jail in October 1982 and from the Falkland Islands the following year.

A BBC spokesman said: 'The story of the migrants and asylum seekers is of interest to our core audience and beyond.'

Great idea, says BBC's right-on priest

He is the self-styled 'trendy' Left-wing priest who has become the BBC's go-to clergyman.

A regular contributor to Radio 4's Thought for the Day, Dr Giles Fraser is also a panellist on the BBC's Moral Maze discussion show.

Yesterday he described the Corporation's decision to film a segment of Songs of Praise in the Calais migrant camp – for an episode in which he will feature – as a 'great idea'. 'They aren't illegal immigrants, yet,' said Dr Fraser, who visited the camp. 'I have no problem with the BBC filming Songs of Praise here. I think the church is the real thing. It is in the centre of the community.'

Dr Fraser, 50, is a private schoolboy turned Left-wing activist, who famously resigned from his job as Canon Chancellor of St Paul's over the cathedral's decision to evict protesters from the Occupy camp outside.

He pledged his support for the activists – who were protesting against corporate greed – despite the fact they forced the cathedral to shut its doors to the public, resulting in losses of around £20,000 a day. Dr Fraser is now is priest-in-charge at St Mary's Newington in south London.

He has spoken at Levellers' Day – a trade union-backed celebration where he sat next to Tony Benn – and has come out in favour of far-Left Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn.

Writing in his Guardian column yesterday, he told how he visited the camp known as the Jungle to show solidarity with his fellow Christians.

He said: 'The purpose of my Calais visit was instinctive. I wanted to say a prayer in the makeshift Ethiopian church – St Michael's.

'I'm a Christian, so I have a special connection for fellow Christians. But the crisis here is not religious: it is humanitarian.'

[charmbrights]

I'm just surprised that the BBC chose the Christian church in the camp. Presumably there isn't a mosque where they could have filmed this programme.

[Teddy Bear]

Fear not, I'm sure it's coming in the near future.

[Teddy Bear]

This story highlights how the leftwing mindset, using the 'caring and concerned' tack to implement their self-serving agenda, don't think twice about how their actions might seriously impact those they pretend to serve. While the BBC might avoid reporting on the horrific persecution of Christians throughout the Muslim world, they are still undoubtedly aware of it. They would do well to reconsider their decision to air this programme in light of the resident priest's fears associated with it.

I'll boycott BBC Songs of Praise filmed in my Calais camp church because I fear for my family's life, vows Eritrean priest

• Hagos Kesete is furious at BBC’s decision to send camera crew to church
• He fears relatives could face repercussions if images seen in home country
• Christians have often been targeted and tortured by the government forces
• BBC accused of wading into politically-sensitive issue by filming at camp

By Mario Ledwith for the Daily Mail

A priest whose church in a Calais migrant camp is set to feature in Songs of Praise plans to boycott the BBC’s production over fears that filming could endanger his family’s life.

Hagos Kesete is furious at the BBC’s decision to send a camera crew to the church, saying that producers have not asked permission to film.

The church leader’s criticism comes after the corporation was accused of wading into a politically sensitive issue by deciding to take its flagship religious programme to the migrant camp.

Mr Keste said his decision to pull out of the broadcast is due to fears that his relatives could face repercussions if the images are seen in his home country of Eritrea.

A UN report found that the East African dictatorship was guilty of ‘systematic and widespread’ human rights violations.

Christians, such as those in the church’s congregation, have been targeted by government forces who often subjected them to torture and even execution.

Mr Kesete, 31, one of two senior priests who lead congregations at the ramshackle church, said: ‘People have a problem. They don’t want cameras. Our government sees us on camera and maybe our family have a problem.’

The priest said he was ‘excited’ when informed by other migrants in the camp that the church had attracted the interest of the BBC.

But he later decided that appearing on camera in widely broadcast images could pose a risk to his family in Africa.

Speaking through a translator, he added: ‘I have fear inside. I am not happy to speak on video. The BBC has not asked me. I won’t appear on video.’

The clergyman admitted that he spends ‘every night’ trying to illegally enter the UK and wanted to continue his work with the church after reaching England.

Work on the church, which has been christened St Michael’s, finished weeks ago after 35 volunteers used donated planks and tarpaulin to construct the building.

The building is part of the growing camp on the outskirts of Calais known as the ‘New Jungle’ where more than 5,000 migrants are living.
Calais migrants hold Sunday church service in makeshift camp

The BBC has carried out some production work at the campsite, with filming expected to start tomorrow.

About 70 worshippers gathered yesterday to sing Ethiopian psalms and prayers during a three-hour ceremony at the church.

Mr Kesete, who trained as a priest for four years, reached Europe after a perilous journey across Africa to Libya where he and friends paid smugglers ‘a lot of money’ to take them to Italy. The group then spent two months travelling to Calais.

A BBC spokesman said: ‘Programme details have yet to be finalised so we have nothing further to add at this stage.’

[Teddy Bear]

You really couldn't make it up. Worth considering the individual elements contained in this story to really see how insidious and slimy the BBC truly are.
Now the BBC's head of religion, who just happens to be a Muslim in a Christian country, but the BBC find this fitting to serve their licence fee payers, is now saying that the plight of the migrants in the Calais camp can be likened to that of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus when they had to flee to Egypt.

I might buy that if he had also included the fact that any Christians fleeing persecution today are doing so because of Islam, but he neglects to add that.
They also don't explain why these migrants need to cross the channel when they are already in France, a place that is a safe country free from persecution.
So I suppose according to BBC logic the armed British gangs assisting these migrants must be holy warriors in the service of the Lord.


The BBC pissing on our legs and tell us it's raining.

BBC defends Songs of Praise in Calais, likening migrants' plight to Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus
The BBC's head of religion and ethics compares plight of migrants in Calais camp seeking to illegally enter Britain to Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus's escape from Herod

By Henry Samuel

The BBC’s religion and ethics chief has likened the plight of migrants in a Calais camp to the to the Biblical story of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus fleeing to Egypt to avoid King Herod's persecution.

Aaqil Ahmed’s comparison came in a blog post as he defended his controversial decision to film an episode of Songs of Praise in sprawling camp known as “The Jungle”, saying it is "reflecting conversations going on in Christian households".

The programme has come under fire for taking its cameras to a makeshift church at the centre of the camp, which has become a base for around 3,000 migrants from often war-torn countries including Syria, Libya and Eritrea.

Hundreds seek nightly to illegally enter Britain by hiding in lorries or trains crossing the Channel to Dover.

Critics claim the BBC's decision to film there is a waste of TV licence fee-payers' money, but last week the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby defended the move, saying “well done”.

Mr Ahmed said: “For centuries Christians have related to the vivid image of the Holy family becoming refugees themselves when Joseph, Mary and their baby son had to flee persecution from King Herod and escape to Egypt.

He insisted that the programme was “not a political statement on the situation or a judgment on migration, and to suggest so is wrong”.
He added that the camp "wasn't an easy place to visit" and that many migrants were "tired and easily agitated".

"That said, we were made as welcome in the makeshift Church as we would have been in any of the Churches we visit around the world for Songs of Praise."

His defence came as senior sources in police and local authorities in Calais and Dunkirk complained that "kneejerk" pressure from the French government to swiftly arrest migrant smugglers could see many walking free due to “lack of evidence”.

“There is huge political pressure for results but a proper investigation takes six to nine months and if we arrest people immediately without enough proof, we’ll have no choice but to let them go,” the source told the Telegraph.

His complaint follows revelations that armed British gangs are operating in the area.

Earlier this week, a member of one of the gangs - who is believed to be a British ringleader - threatened Ukip MEP Mike Hookem with a pistol as he visited the camp near Téteghem.

Four men were arrested on the Franco-Belgian border on suspicion of having links to a smuggling ring which uses cars with British number plates and operates in a migrant camp near Dunkirk.

They remain in police custody in Calais after their car was seized at the border during a joint investigation by French and Belgian police. Around twenty migrants at the camp, in Teteghem, were also questioned after the arrests took place on Thursday evening.

In a separate case, five people linked to an Albanian smuggling network were in custody on Thursday after their arrest in northern France.
The senior source said that more raids, including for weapons, were imminent in the “coming days”.

The complaint came a day after Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, threatened to allow thousands of migrants into Britain and criticised David Cameron for being "mocking and contemptuous".

[Teddy Bear]

Peter Hitchens wades into the debate.

PETER HITCHENS: Did Jesus really say 'blessed are the queue-jumping knifemen?'

By Peter Hitchens for The Mail on Sunday

I’m always a bit suspicious of the sort of person who argues by saying ‘What would Jesus have said?’ They usually mean that they are quite sure Jesus would have agreed with them.

My favourite example of this was always the Blair creature, reproved by Cardinal Basil Hume for taking Catholic communion when he wasn’t a Catholic. The then Labour leader peevishly responded: ‘I wonder what Jesus would have made of it.’

My guess is that Jesus would have told Mr Blair (who converted to Rome once he’d left Downing Street) to decide whether his faith or his political career came first. But it’s only a guess, based on Our Lord’s known retorts to one or two other uppity lawyers. And, of course, it’s what I think.

Now we’re being asked, by the Dean of Durham, what Jesus would do about the migrant camp at Calais. This is because of the BBC’s plan to broadcast in today’s Songs Of Praise sections filmed at a makeshift church in that camp.

This is not by any means the only such lecture from that direction I’ve heard recently.

I’m not bothered much by the broadcast. BBC bias is a fact of life and that’s that. And I can’t say that screening film from such a place on Songs Of Praise is a bad idea in itself. Christians ought to be thinking about such things.

But thinking is what these prelates and preachers are not doing. Is it as simple as they claim? I am far from sure. The founder of the Christian church was not actually a guerrilla fighter or a Russell Brand-type demagogue. He had nothing against people obeying laws or fulfilling their obligations. I’d say, rather the opposite.

He was himself a genuine refugee, hiding in Egypt from the real, murderous wrath of Herod. But when the danger was past, his family didn’t settle in Egypt but returned home.

Nowhere in the Beatitudes did Jesus say ‘Blessed are the queue-jumpers’, trying to gain an advantage at the expense of others. This is what the people at Calais are.

They are not prepared to apply for asylum or seek visas and work permits in the normal way. Their actions make people in this country less willing to grant any asylum, or to welcome any migration.

They force their way into lorries and trains, or break down a lawfully constructed fence, sometimes clutching drawn knives as they do so. Many destroy their passports so that the truth about their origins and claims can never be proved. Why precisely is it Christian to endorse this behaviour?

As the Left-wing media have rightly been pointing out, only quite a small share of the migrants arriving in Europe from Africa and elsewhere actually end up at Calais. They are already out of danger (if they were ever in it) and have chosen to be there.

As for the parable of the Good Samaritan, the hero of the story didn’t tell other people to be compassionate and generous. He did it himself. I am full of admiration for any individual who offers to take such migrants into his own home indefinitely, and to bear the charges (as the Good Samaritan did) of their housing, food and medical treatment.

But I have none at all for the pulpit Samaritan who tells others in our overcrowded country that they must suffer for the sake of his own peace of mind.

[Teddy Bear]

The BBC use their presence in Calais to make sure their insidious agenda is fulfilled to its maximum, and show they care nothing for this country, much less morality and ethics.

The government is not any better as they will do nothing to address it.

GOTCHA: BBC RUNS ‘PUFF-PIECE’ FOR RADICAL PRO-MIGRANT GROUP, DOESN’T DECLARE AFFILIATIONS

by OLIVER LANE

The BBC News Magazine, published on-line and funded by the British public, has printed an extensive piece on the work done by members of Calais Migrant Solidarity, without mentioning the organisation itself once.

‘Calais migrant crisis: The Britons in the Jungle’, ran this morning and featured a number of left-wingers, presenting them as ordinary people who were spontaneously inspired to travel to France.

Yet even the most cursory glance over the backgrounds of the people featured exposes them as committed activists with links to a number of extreme left organisations, including anarchist group Calais Migrant Solidarity.

Self-described as the “no borders people”, Calais Migrant Solidarity has maintained a presence among the migrant camps since 2009, working to impede the work of police officers controlling the area and enabling the presence of illegal asylum seekers on their way to Britain. Behind the friendly humanitarian persona is a radical anarchist agenda, advocating the end of national borders in their entirety, and vowing to fight capitalism and existence of the nation state.


It’s all arty filters and excessive hashtags at CalAid / Facebook

It is probably well that Calais Migrant Solidarity has the BBC on hand to do its clandestine publicity work on their behalf, as they are remarkably shy of many other press outlets. Rather snootily they declare “We will definitely not talk to the Mail, Telegraph, Express or Murdoch owned press”, and report speaking to any media whatsoever is “unlikely”.

The members of Calais Migrant Solidarity featured are remarkable for their divergent backgrounds.

Public-school educated Tom McElholm told the BBC he was going to Calais to combat “xenophobia running through social media and the press”. A supporter of Calais Migrant Solidarity, he is joining French-Muslim campaign group Association Salam in Calais and is driving a car full of supplies to ‘the Jungle’ – as the camp was christened by the French Authorities.

While Tom shares his support for Calais Migrant Solidarity with student politics activist Joanna Sutton-Klein and Brighton GROLIE (look it up) Vikki Ita, he also follows super-hip group CalAid.

Dripping with worthy hashtags (#WeAreAllImmigrants, #NobodyIsIllegal etc), the group seems to be less active in distributing aid and more engaged in creating arty Instagram pictures of smiling illegal migrants cooking hearty ethnic food on the perimeter fence of the Eurotunnel terminal.

Just like Calais Migrant Solidarity, CalAid brings up the importance of people travelling to jungle to arrange donations of shoes.

The Migrant Solidarity’s own Facebook activism organisation group repeatedly mentions the importance of getting good quality running shoes to the migrants in the camp. Why these desperate asylum seekers so desperately need to be so light on their feet is not expressed.

Breitbart London approached the BBC for comment on their magazine article this morning, but at time of publication there has been no response.