By Paul Dobbyn
TOWNSVILLE diocese’s people are praying Immigration Minister Scott Morrison will “open his heart” and deliver them a special Christmas present.
The gift is the release of Patrick Wilson, a much-loved and respected Afghani refugee and community member, facing deportation after being held in a Darwin detention centre since September 30.
Mr Wilson, 30, who became a Catholic last year, changed his Afghani name in September to reflect his respect for his main mentors through the RCIA program, Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson and Christian Brother Patrick Cronin.
The regular Sunday Mass attendee at St Francis Xavier Church, Railway Estate had also become a successful local businessman since his arrival in Townsville about 18 months ago.
Sacred Heart Cathedral parish manager Steve Sutton said the fear was that Mr Wilson would be deported back to Afghanistan.
“If this were to happen it would be a certain death sentence,” Mr Sutton said.
“First of all there is the issue of him becoming a Christian.
“The death penalty applies for apostasy (conversion from Islam) in Afghanistan.
“Patrick is also a member of the Hazara minority group who have been persecuted over many years.
“He has already experienced the horror of his father being murdered by the Taliban.”
Concern over Mr Wilson’s predicament has led to a groundswell of support from Catholic agencies including Caritas and the Edmund Rice Centre and various Christian denominations.
The Townsville branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross also started its own campaign – a petition to the Immigration Minister, spreading across Australian parishes to create what Mr Sutton said was a “gigantic response”.
More than 3000 signatures were received at Masses over two weekends.
Nearly 500 signatures at Brisbane’s Wynnum-Manly parishes were collected at Masses last weekend.
Mr Sutton said signatures “continued to pour in” after the November 20 deadline.
The reasons for Mr Wilson’s detention remained baffling.
“Patrick was able to work on a bridging visa, and is a director of company that scraps and exports recycled components motor vehicle based here in Townsville,” he said.
“He has been issued with an ABN and ACN number.
“He went to Cairns on Tuesday, September 30 for what he thought was a regular Department of Immigration and Citizenship meeting with departmental officers about his bridging visa as there is no DIAC office in Townsville.
“He travelled to Cairns with two of his friends, one of whom was his business partner.
“During the interview, his friends were asked to leave the room while the officers spoke with Patrick, at which point he was detained without notice.
“He was then taken to Cairns Airport and flown to Darwin and interned to Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre.”
Sacred Heart Cathedral parish administrator Vincentian Father Fr Jose Koyickal, has written letters to the Immigration Minister drawing attention to the case.
Letters from Fr Koyickal and other members of the community have also been sent to the local MP Ewen Jones and Mr Morrison via Mr Wilson’s immigration solicitors in Melbourne.
“All we’re asking at this point is for Minister Morrison to allow Patrick to make a valid application for a protection visa,” Mr Sutton said.
“He’s never been allowed to do this.
“All the time he’s been in Australia since 2011, he’s been gainfully employed.
“He’s also undergone a rigorous process, requiring much discernment, of being a successful candidate for the RCIA.
“We now call on the minister to open his heart and let Patrick home for Christmas so he can enjoy the season with a community which wants him and will support him.”
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told The Catholic Leader “there are no plans to enforce the individual’s immediate removal”.
“However people who have exhausted all outstanding avenues to remain in Australia and have no lawful basis to remain are expected to depart,” he said.
“People who do not hold a valid visa and are unwilling to voluntarily depart may be subject to detention and removal from Australia.
“The Government ensures it meets its duty of care to all people in detention and during the course of removal, including provision of health care and post return support as necessary.”
Due to ongoing enquiries Townsville diocese has renewed the petition for the release from detention of Patrick Wilson. The petition is at http://goo.gl/forms/ihgSXoanzQ.
