Rt Revd David Walker said there was a "political rhetoric that characterises them as wilful criminals rather than helpless victims".
Writing for the Observer newspaper the bishop said migrants are attempting to come to Europe through desperation and not want.
"They are pushed, not pulled, towards the EU, forced out of their homelands by war, terrorism and the persecution of minorities," he wrote.
Last week more than 750 people died on a boat that was crossing to Europe from Libya.
It's thought at least 1,750 migrants have died trying to make the journey so far this year.
Bishop David said: "Twenty-first-century Britain still aspires to be an international player. We may no longer be kingmaker across large swaths of the globe, but we like to see our influence, and our military assets, being used to destabilise and engineer the removal of some of the more unpleasant dictators who strut the world stage."
He said Britain should no longer interfere in other country's affairs, like it did with Libya, and that to go on doing this would be the "classic definition of madness".
"The moral cost of our continual overseas interventions has to include accepting a fair share of the victims of the wars to which we have contributed as legitimate refugees in our own land," he urged.
Just days away from the General Election Bishop David said he wanted a government that looked upon refugees with compassion.
"I want my political representatives to show they have values beyond expediency and appeal to the muddled middle. Only such politicians will I trust with the wellbeing of my family, my community and my nation," he added.