The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia has urged the government and opposition to revise immigration policy, particularly offshore detention. A motion moved by the Synod recognises ‘the moral complexities of the task’ but says asylum seekers should not be called ‘illegal’, should not be detained for more than three months and women and children should not be placed in detention facilities. The Synod urged the Government to work with regional neighbours and the UNHCR to develop a compassionate and workable regional response to refugees and asylum seekers and to develop immigration policies that are more just and compassionate. The Rev Peter Lin, whose parish includes the largest number of asylum seekers in Sydney said, ‘We come into contact with frightened, traumatised yet relieved people. Whatever we think about how they arrived, they are among us, hurting, vulnerable and powerless in many ways.'