European Churches: model welcome and intergration of
migrants
(Vatican Radio) The future of
the Church in Europe, especially in light of the migration crisis, was at the
top of the agenda as leaders of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences,
or CCEE, met with Pope Francis in the Vatican this week. Following that
audience, CCEE President, Cardinal Peter Erdo from Hungary, along with the two
vice presidents, Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco and Albanian Archbishop
Angelo Massafra, gave a press conference on Tuesday to share some of the Pope’s
concerns.
Cardinal Erdo told
journalists the Pope had strong words of encouragement for all members of the
CCEE as they seek to rediscover and reinforce the Christian roots at the heart
of European society. Cardinal Bagnasco stressed the need to form consciences
and build a “culture of relationships”, opposing those “economic forces” that
seek to manipulate people and promote instead a culture of consumerism and
individualistic identity.
Britain's referendum
reveals 'unease'
Cardinal Bagnasco also spoke
about the upcoming British referendum on whether or not to remain in the EU,
saying regardless of the result, the unease which many people feel must make
European institutions reflect on how they can better respect and value the
cultures of the different member countries.
Welcome and integration
for migrants
All the Church leaders spoke
at length about the migration crisis, saying it’s vital to distinguish between
the different challenges facing countries of origin, of transit and of
destination. As well as welcoming those in need, they stressed the importance
of European countries supporting one another in the longer term integration
process.
Mgr Duarte da Cunha,
secretary general of the CCEE, said
the first rule is that Churches have to “receive everyone with love and mercy,
to help all in need”. At this moment, works are more important than words and
the testimony of so many Church organisations are a “witness of what this means
concretely”.
Secondly, Mgr Duarte said
‘union’ does not mean everyone should do the same thing but rather understand
the different situations of countries and the realities of what the refugees
want, or where they want to go. “A common policy doesn’t mean the same policy
in each country, but a policy that coordinates the different situations”, he
said.
Churches can model
dialogue and solidarity
Mgr Duarte says Church
leaders have an advantage over politicians since they share the same faith and
live their lives by the same principles and values. That enables them to
listen, to avoid conflict, to respect differences but also to help and welcome
those most in need. It doesn’t mean that bishops in one country should say what
bishops in another country should do, he said, adding that Pope Francis had
been “very aware of this” during the meeting on Monday. Rather than abstract
solutions “in the air”, he said, Europe needs concrete solutions responding to
the reality on the ground.
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