The president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, says it's time Australia found a home for the refugees and asylum seekers on Manus and Nauru.
Photo: supplied
In a statement the bishops noted the country's politicians have returned home for Christmas without resolving the offshore detention crisis.
Archbishop Coleridge said as "a wealthy country with a robust rule of law and multicultural tolerance, Australia is an attractive place to live and to find peace and security".
He said it was no surprise courageous and resourceful people fleeing persecution anywhere in the world would be happy to make a home in Australia.
Archbishop Coleridge said this Christmas, the conference wanted Australia's politicians to consider a fresh approach in the new year, and put an end to an intolerable situation.
He said Australia couldn't afford to have the plight of these people made even worse by having their futures the subject of bitter electoral dispute in the year ahead.
Separately the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office has welcomed a commitment made by Labor to increase Australia's annual humanitarian intake of refugees to 27,000 by 2025.
Children outside RPC3 tents on Nauru Photo: Refugee Action Coalition