2010: Year of European Churches Responding to Migration



European Churches are being invited to observe 2010 as "The Year of European Churches Responding to Migration". The year long programme will be launched in Budapest on 25-27 November.

The aim is to make visible the churches’ commitment to strangers, in response to the message of the Bible which insists on the dignity of every human being. It calls the churches to promote an inclusive policy at European and national level for migrants, refugees and ethnic minority groups.

A calendar of events is in preparation with focus-themes for each month. International days around migration and religious and intercultural festive days are being organised. Local congregations are invited to identify major issues around migration in their region and to organize activities related to the themes of the calendar and to share their activities with each other. A special website gives more details.

The President of the Conference of European Churches, the Revd Dr Jean-Arnold de Clermont, says “Migration is at the heart of the churches’ agenda in Europe”.  As we ourselves are largely a "diaspora diocese" many of the congregations in the Diocese in Europe already work with and for migrants. This year gives a chance for increase the visibility of this work and to strengthen and enhance our commitment to migrants, refugees and ethnic minority people in Europe. It will be an excellent way to follow up on our 2009 Pastoral Conference "Entertaining Angels: Hospitality as Mission", where we explored our calling as Christians and churches, obliged and invited to "welcome the stranger".

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