The Catholic Church’s migration bishop Patrick Lynch says there is a “vaccum” in political leadership on the question of migrants that the church must fill.

Speaking at the Justice and Peace conference in Swanwick at the weekend, Bishop Lynch said the church must help migrants so that they can help others in a similar position.

"Our own experience with migrants and their families teaches us that welcoming and walking with always leads to empowering so that as people grow in knowledge and skills, in confidence and in hope they themselves – individually and collectively - are inspired and empowered to reach out to and work for justice for their fellow migrants,” he said.

Fellow speaker at the conference, Don Flynn of the Migrants Rights Network said that rather than working in isolation, faith groups, trade unions and civic organisations should join forces in their work with migrants.

"There has been a generous response across the country to migrants. The big story is that refugees and migrants have found solidarity in local community and often the church is the first friend available," he said.

The outcomes of the conference will form part of an action plan for the National Justice and Peace Network over the next year.