WITH regard to the article "Ray of Hope In A Sea Of Despair" by Peter McLean in The Citizen (Jan 4), he quotes the Bishop of Blackburn speaking to his congregation on Christmas Day.

The Bishop equates the innkeeper opening his stable door to Joseph and Mary with the millions of asylum seekers, bogus or otherwise.

First of all, according to the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and Mary were obeying authority. They went to Bethlehem in order to pay their taxes -- not to receive hand-outs.

After paying them, they went back to where they came from. It is also more than likely that the innkeeper charged them for staying in his stable.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of asylum seekers, quoting the story of Joseph and Mary is completely out of context.

C Parkinson (Mrs),

Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool.