European bishops: continent’s nations must work together to address refugee crisis
September 10, 2015
The members of the Standing Committee of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) have issued a statement on the continent’s refugee crisis.
“The flux of refugees to Europe places the countries on our continent before enormous challenges,” the bishops said in their September 9 statement. “Yet these challenges can be overcome, if we Europeans consider them as a shared responsibility and cooperate for their resolution.”
Chiding nations that are less accommodating to refugees, the bishops said that “the fact that some countries are seeking to disengage entirely from their responsibility is unacceptable. After all, the European Union is founded on the solidarity of Europeans amongst themselves. The refugee problem is a common challenge and therefore requires a common European solution.”
The bishops added:
In recent weeks we have all been deeply moved by the spirit of solidarity and helpfulness so many Europeans have shown in the reception extended to refugees. We thank all those who are committed to ensuring that refugees are received with humanity and warmth in a spirit of compassion and Christian charity-- regardless of whether or not their asylum claims are ultimately recognized. However, it is shocking that this situation also causes harassment and hostility towards refugees. We must firmly oppose this.
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