Churches across Milnrow express shock and sadness at the recent racist graffiti

Date published: 11 August 2018

A joint statement has been issued by Churches across Milnrow to express shock and sadness at the recent racist graffiti daubed on the home of the Kasese family last Saturday. A meeting to show support and solidarity set up by the churches was well attended by church goers, the police, local dignitaries and residents.

Revd Mark Coleman Borough Dean of Rochdale said " The response from the Milnrow churches and wider community has been amazing. People want to show their rejection of racism and care for the family"

The Bishop of Middleton, Rt Rev Mark Davies spoke for all when he said that those present when he said to the Kasese family that they were held in love and prayer by all present at St James' Church in Milnrow.

Tony Lloyd MP said “The Kasese family rightly have been shown a very different side of Rochdale. Those who crept out in the night with a message of hate have disappeared in the shadows. The real Rochdale and the real Milnrow was shown by the welcoming arms of the many people who turned up to show the true face of the town”.

This is the statement agreed by the churches

Milnrow Churches welcome all

“Members of Milnrow’s Churches were shocked to hear about the racist graffiti daubed onto a house in Leyfield Road in Milnrow on Saturday last and have agreed the following statement

We, members of the undersigned churches, are shocked and saddened by the racist graffiti and express our sympathy to the Kasese family. We hope the Police will find the perpetrators.

We believe that there is one race, the human race. We are pleased that many ethnic backgrounds are represented in our community, and it is our experience that Milnrow is a friendly, hospitable place to live. We will continue to work together to foster and promote tolerance and respect for our ethnic diversity and the benefits that this brings to our community”

• St James Milnrow
• Milnrow Methodist Church
• Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
• New Life Milnrow Church
• Moorhouse Methodist Church
• St Thomas New Hey
• And others including Revd Mark Coleman, Borough Dean of Rochdale