Churches publish basic paper on migration

The Christian churches in Germany have jointly called on politics and society to do more to promote the human dignity of migrants. With a basic paper published on Thursday by the German Bishops' Conference, the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD) and the Working Group of Christian Churches (ACK), the churches want to clarify their common position on the subject of migration and give recommendations for action.

Hanover / Munich - The aim of the text is to send a clear signal for social cohesion and against any form of misanthropy, emphasized the Osnabrück bishop Franz-Josef Bode, deputy chairman of the German Bishops' Conference.

"When people are harassed and hurt because of their skin color and worldview, our place is by their side," he said.

The churches made it unmistakably clear to oppose all inhumane currents.

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The EKD Council Chairman Heinrich Bedford-Strom brought the European refugee policy into focus. "That the dignity and rights of refugees are disregarded and violated in so many places around the world, including at the external borders of the EU, is scandalous and deeply shameful," he said. In their 216-page paper, the churches also advocate a “solidarity-based reform of European refugee policy based on human rights”, secure access routes for those seeking protection and a solidarity-based distribution of responsibility among the countries.

Also in view of the worsening situation on the Polish-Belarusian border, it is the task of the churches to work together, vigorously and time and again, for the observance of human dignity, according to the bishops.

The new basic paper replaces a more than 20 year old declaration on the subject of migration.

dpa