Orthodox Patriarch: plight of child refugees is 'disgrace for the entire human race'

December 23, 2015

In his Christmas message, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople says that the suffering of displaced children is “truly a disgrace for the entire human race.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch—the acknowledged “first among equals” of the world’s Orthodox prelates—writes that in today’s world many children live in dire need because they are driven from their homes. He reminds the faithful that Jesus, too, was forced to leave his country to escape the “murderous intentions” of King Herod.

Patriarch Bartholomew says that Jesus, who as a child was a “political refugee,” is now “the authentic guardian of today’s refugees.”

 

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Further information:

• Bartholomew: the Child Jesus, who was forced to become a refugee, "is the authentic guardian of today’s refugees" (AsiaNews)