[ACNS] The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has welcomed a new UK-government scheme to allow community groups in the country to directly sponsor a refugee family. Archbishop Welby said the scheme would allow churches and other civil society groups “to provide sanctuary to those fleeing war-torn places.”

The Full Community Sponsorship scheme was launched today by the UK’s senior home affairs minister, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and Archbishop Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace. The scheme will enable charities, faith groups, churches and businesses to take on the role of supporting resettled refugees in the UK.

“The Full Community Sponsorship Scheme presents churches and other civil society groups with the opportunity to provide sanctuary to those fleeing war-torn places,” Archbishop Welby said. “Refugees, like all people, are treasured human beings made in the image of God who deserve safety, freedom and the opportunity to flourish.

“It is an enormous privilege to welcome a family to live in a cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace. I am hugely grateful to the Home Office and Lambeth Council for their tireless work and support in enabling this to happen.”

• Click here to read more details about the Full Community Sponsorship scheme on the UK Government website.