Martin Accad, president of a theological seminary in Beirut, analyses the critical situation on the ground. “Though we often feel helpless, we never feel hopeless”.
“As churches, we mourn with the families and pray for them”, said German Christian leaders. The murder of 3 people has added fuel to the political fight over migration.
A Christian expert on political communication and migration analyses the new EU migration pact. “If Europe needs workers to do certain types of work, why not create a circular route?”, asks Noemí Mena.
The victory of an asylum seeker who became a Christian in Austria could set a precedent for other new believers in Europe.
For several years our church was home to a community of Persian Christians. We worshipped together, studied scripture, and grew to be best friends. Years later, and dispersed ‘round the UK, almost all of them are still living as Christians.
Leading politicians accuse churches of allowing “bogus” conversions of migrants to obtain refugee status. “The suggestion church leaders are aiding people to abuse the asylum system is a serious charge”, says an Evangelical Alliance representative.
Discretion and integrity are essential, but they shouldn’t go so far as to become scepticism and distrust. The roles of church leaders and immigration officials need clear differentiation.
Alesio Sema in Albania and Giacomo Ciccone in Italy address the issue of migration from an evangelical perspective.
While the political actors involved welcome the agreement, evangelical organisations take a critical look at the details of the pact.
The victory of the Freedom Party shocks the European scenario. While traditional Christian parties suffer losses, “it is no secret that some believers love Wilders”, says journalist Evert Van Vlastuin.
“If suicide is already a taboo subject, it is even more invisible in the socially vulnerable population”, said organisers of a conference.
Migration, hospitality and human rights are all issues of biblical concern touching on loving our neighbours.
The president got over 52% of the vote and will lead the county five more years. Christians and other minorities still face restrictions in their freedoms.
Justin Welby calls on the government to set 10-year strategies for tackling human trafficking and for an international collaboration to solve the refugee crises.
The response to the earthquakes and the restriction of human rights such as religious freedom may play against the powerful president.
In Sunderland (England), Cathie welcomed at home Alona, her two children and their grandma. They certainly miss Odesa, but have met other refugees and been active at church.
Several Christian voices in the United Kingdom criticise the Illegal Migration draft law presented by the government. They ask to “talk frankly and listen carefully” instead of “fanning anti-immigration flames”.
Small children on the boat have either died or disappeared. The boat set out from Turkey and carrying 200 people.
Highlights are the fight against human trafficking and the efforts to integrate victims in the labour market. Spain is among the European countries with highest levels of prostitution.
In Europe, we have become used to the arrival of asylum seekers and refugees, most notably when some 2 million people fleeing the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan. Yet the Ukraine migration crisis has been different.
There have been around 8,750 crossings in August alone. The situation worsened since Home Secretary announced plans to deport migrants to Rwanda.
During the last couple of decades around 300 churches have been planted here by people from a non-Swedish culture or nationality, mostly – but not exclusively – in larger cities.
Human rights activists and pastors denounce that “the recognition rate of asylum applications has dropped from close to 100% to close to single digits”.
"Justice While Fleeing" looks at the situation of asylum seekers from different contexts. A doc by the intercultural working community of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance.
There are almost 700 million African Christians, and many live in Western countries. Israel Olofinjana analyses the challenges and opportunities for African mission in Europe.
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