WCC NEWS: European churches affirm Christian values of hospitality in response to refugee crisis

The biblical ideal of welcoming the stranger is embedded in the ecumenical work of European churches. Despite restrained resources, they are at the forefront in supporting refugees. A volunteer waves a refugee boat ashore on a beach near Molyvos, on the Greek island of Lesbos, on November 2, 2015. The boat was provided by Turkish traffickers to whom the refugees paid huge sums to arrive in Greece. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 07 September 2022 The Brunnen Workshop of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches highlighted voices from churches in Greece, Bavaria and the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME). The event offered insights on European churches’ response to refugee crisis, their efforts for integration, and most importantly how they are practicing Christian values of hospitality.  “The Church of Greece has been playing an essential role in welcoming, initial approach and facilitating the integration of refugees, aiming at achieving peaceful coexistence in a mutually beneficial way for them and the reception society,” said Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia and Philadelphia from the Orthodox Church of Greece. Greece is one of the major entry points into Europe for refugees and migrants. The country has received over a million individuals since the beginning of 2015. However the influx of refugees has reduced drastically the last couple of years. Metropolitan Gabriel shared that projects that support refugees are deeply rooted in the theological foundation of the Greek Orthodox tradition. The church is providing legal and psychosocial assistance as well as running shelters for unaccompanied minors. “Each human is created in the image of God. Therefore, the stranger in Christian theology is neither an enemy, nor an opponent, but a fellow human, a brother or sister, regardless of origin or religion,” he said. “The church of today and tomorrow is a church that is aware of its diversity,” said Michael Martin from the Oberkirchenrat of Lutheran Church in Bavaria. “The concept on migration and flight is an important building block in this concept, as it opens the view to perceptions, analysis and concretions that consistently result from God’s promise of life to all people.” “The conception reminds Christians of God's gifts, which have been entrusted to all in God's people collectively and equally. It reminds us of God’s grace and that God has called the whole church to hope and to be together. From this very remembrance comes the powerful vision of shaping church life in the immigration society as an inclusive communion,” added Martin. Andrej Jevtic from the Serbian Orthodox Church, representing CCME shared organisations’ “Easter statement” at the workshop that affirms Europe's commitment to refugees. He shared how the statement acknowledges response from European churches, organisations, individuals, and groups to the war in Ukraine, manifesting empathy and solidarity for the refugees fleeing the war. The CCME statement also notes how EU has activated programs and legislations, which are rather welcoming and generous towards the refugees from Ukraine. However, the statement also expresses remorse that some of the Ukrainian refugees were discriminated against, based on their ethnicity, religion and origin. Jevtic also invoked dialogue among workshop participants on how in a secularized Europe appeals from Christian leaders can be affective. The importance of inter-Christian cooperation on the level of hospitality and assistance to migrants, as well as issue of racism was discussed. The panel was moderated by Nikos Kouremenos of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies. Livestream of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany Photos of the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland