British bishops were quick to condemn a surge in racist and xenophobic incidents that followed the divisive vote that saw Great Britain bid adieu to the European Union. In the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, police reported a 57-per-cent spike in verbal and physical assaults on visible minorities, immigrants and even on some long-time residents born abroad.

MANCHESTER, England – Catholic bishops condemned a sharp rise in xenophobic and racist attacks following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

OXFORD, England – European Catholic leaders are concerned that the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union will threaten unity across the continent, but also cautioned the EU bloc to rethink its values and priorities.

Britain’s vote to leave the European Union — sending economic shockwaves across the globe, driving out the prime minister and crashing the British pound — has faith leaders facing a new challenge: How to reconcile this act of national door-slamming on the EU with a religious message of welcoming the stranger and resolving conflicts through dialogue.

CAMBRIDGE, England – For the last month, fliers about the United Kingdom’s referendum on the European Union have come through my door with statements like: “The EU costs us at least £350 million a week. That’s enough to build a new NHS hospital every week.” Not one of them has mentioned religion.