German evangelicals call authorities to “act with determination” to offer “protection” to foreigners in need

In the midst of a tense political debate about migration in Germany, the country’s Evangelical Alliance has clearly positioned itself against the calls to implement tougher policies.

“We are shocked to see that thousands of refugees die in the Mediterranean, in front of the doors of Europe – this cannot be the will of God”, the German Evangelical Alliance (DEA) said in a statement published on July 12.

The body representing evangelical Christians in the country thanked “all those who have engaged themselves for refugees and foreigners and are therefore showing God’s love to every person, no matter their origin or religion”.

The DEA describes what the Bible teaches about how “God places the needy under His protection, especially the foreigners”.

A COMPLEX ISSUE THAT NEEDS COURAGE

The issue of migration in Europe and Germany is “complex and far-reaching”, and Christians should “pray for those with political responsibilities, to find helpful solutions”.

But there is no excuse to not “prevent people from drowning”. More actions to stop people smugglers should be taken as well, the German evangelical body says. To do all this, “requires wisdom and courage to act with determination for the wellbeing of human beings”.

COUNTRIES CANNOT LOOK THE OTHER WAY

“We appeal the European Union and the governments in European countries to look for common solutions with even more conviction, solutions that are oriented to the need of the people and the rule of law”.

No country in Europe should desist from offering “protection and help” to those in need, the DEA says. “We are convinced that our well-being in Europe is a God-given gift, which we have to use with responsibility, it obliges us to offer ourselves to help and share”.

EEA: EUROPEANS ARE NOT THE VICTIMS

The statement of the German Evangelical Alliance is in the line of the position of the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA).

The EEA Brussels representative Arie de Pater, told Evangelical Focus: “There is a tendency to call the migrant the problem, feeding a rhetoric in which we, Europeans, are the victims. But that is not the case”. Listen to his answers on migration in Europe.