Europe

EuropeYou can find up to date news on refugee issues in Europe on the websites of the Churches’ Commission on Migrants in Europe (CCME), the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and Caritas Internationalis.

Mapping Migration: Mapping Churches’ Responses in Europe is a joint study published by CCME and World Council of Churches (WCC). Back in 2008, CCME published Theological Reflections on Migration.

I was a stranger and you invited me in
Jan 1

I was a stranger and you invited me in

The tragic picture of Alan Kurdi put a human face on the issue of migration across the Mediterranean which had risen in public consciousness over the summer of 2015. The phrase ‘refugee crisis’ entered common parlance. Yet it was quickly wrapped up with other words like ‘flood’ and ‘swarm’. ...
A Christmas Prayer for Refugees
Dec 25

A Christmas Prayer for Refugees

Lord, you were once a refugee as the small child from the manger fleeing to Egypt. And so we pray for all those who are fleeing persecution, adversity and hopelessness. We remember the millions of people across the globe who are displaced from their homes. We bring before you families that are ...
Aquarius in port: last large vessel withdraws from Mediterranean refugee rescue
Dec 8

Aquarius in port: last large vessel withdraws from Mediterranean refugee rescue

Back in June, the refugee rescue ship Aquarius was at the centre of a media storm when Matteo Salvini, Italy’s interior minister, refused permission for it to dock, forcing the transfer at sea of some refugees to coastguard vessels (that were allowed to dock) and a long journey to Spain for ...
Update from CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network
Nov 22

Update from CTBI Churches’ Refugee Network

CTBIs Churches’ Refugee Network met again today with representation around the table and on the phone from a variety of denominations and organisations working around the UK and Ireland. CRN considered the opportunity to develop better church engagement with Refugee Week (running in 2019 ...
European Asylum Conference declaration
Oct 23

European Asylum Conference declaration

150 asylum experts from churches and civil society last week issued a declaration calling on an end to the EU asylum regime of hotspots and the establishment of ways of safe passage into Europe. The 15th European Asylum Conference began on Chios, an Aegean island, where the delegates were ...
Lord Dubs launches petition: safe passage to UK for 10,000 child refugees
Sep 5

Lord Dubs launches petition: safe passage to UK for 10,000 child refugees

Lord Dubs whose life was saved by Kindertransport has launched a petition calling on the UK Prime Minister Theresa May to act in the spirit of 80 years ago and make a commitment to give safe passage to 10,000 child refugees from Europe and the regions over the next 10 years. Over the weekend, ...
Italian church launches Welcome Manifesto
Aug 31

Italian church launches Welcome Manifesto

The board of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI) recently launched a Welcome Manifesto [view in translation] that says ‘no’ to xenophobia and describes every form of racism as a theological heresy. FCEI President Luca Maria Negro spoke about what had triggered the development ...
City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack
Aug 28

City of Sanctuary Mental Health Resource Pack

City of Sanctuary have published a Mental Health Resource Pack [PDF] to help readers understand the circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers’ lives and how these circumstances affect their emotional wellbeing. The 56-page booklet’s introduction explains that “it is designed to give you a ...
Nadine Daniel speaking about migration, refugees and sponsorship
Jul 10

Nadine Daniel speaking about migration, refugees and sponsorship

Nadine Daniel is national refugee welcome coordinator for the Church of England. She addressed the CTBI annual general meeting in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral back in May. A resident of Toxteth, she welcomed the delegates to Liverpool. While the word ‘welcome’ was an important emphasis in ...