The Bishop of Manchester has described the government's plan to deport failed asylum seekers to Rwanda as a 'moral low.'
Rev David Walker referred to a line in the bible which states 'do not punish the innocent to catch the guilty' on the BBC's Newsnight programme as he condemned the controversial new policy.
It comes after a number of Senior Church of England bishops signed a letter which was published in the Times on Tuesday morning to coincide with the deportation of the first migrants to Rwanda.
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Signed by the Most Rev Justin Welby and the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, it says: "Whether or not the first deportation flight leaves Britain today for Rwanda, this policy should shame us as a nation."
The letter is also signed by the bishops of London, Durham, Exeter, Birmingham and Manchester and adds: "This immoral policy shames Britain."
Speaking to the BBC's Kirsty Wark on Monday night, the Bishop of Manchester said: "It's very unusual for all the Bishops in the House of Lords to sign the same letter.
"We know that attitudes towards migrants by successive governments have been increasingly hostile more and more so. This has probably reached a new low. We think it's a moral low. Jesus makes it very clear in the Old Testament; you do not punish the innocent to catch the guilty.
"So yes I'm sure there are some people who get across to this country who don't have a right to be here, but people who would have a right to live here once they get to the UK to have their application processed and it would be accepted are not now going to have that happen to them.
"That we believe is a moral failure on behalf of a country that has a much better history of dealing with refugees."
The first flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda is set to leave the UK today (Tuesday) after a last-ditch legal bid to halt the controversial deportation policy failed.
On Monday three Court of Appeal judges upheld a High Court ruling last week that the removals could go ahead, rejecting an appeal by two refugee charities and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).
But it was unclear how many asylum seekers would be on the aircraft with individual appeals against deportation which are expected to continue on Tuesday morning.
While 11 migrants are expected to be removed, one of the charities that brought the appeal said just seven still had live tickets. Three further challenges brought by individuals who face removal on the first flight are expected to be heard at the High Court on Tuesday.
A Government spokesperson said: "Our world-leading Partnership with Rwanda will see those making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys to the UK relocated there to have their claims considered and rebuild their lives.
"There is no one single solution to the global migration crisis, but doing nothing is not an option and this partnership will help break the business model of criminal gangs and prevent loss of life.
"Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers and we are confident the agreement is fully compliant with all national and international law."
