CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Sweden: "A more human immigration policy"The leaders of the member Churches of the Council of Churches in Sweden promoted on July 1st a manifesto "for a more human immigration policy". The document "marks the beginning of a process undertaken by the Churches in the areas of integration and migration, with a view to the national elections in 2014", states a press release. The Churches issued a statement on these themes already in 2005 and in 2011, changes were proposed regarding refugee policies. "As Churches, we cannot fail to address these questions, as they are part and parcel of our humanity", said the Secretary General of the Council of Churches in Sweden. We want to live in a Country where all of us – natives and migrants alike – assume joint responsibility for our common future and for the building of the Country. We don’t have a minute to waste. To must ensure that others have their own place and promote equality", is written in the manifesto. "Our responsibility is to ensure that those who seek refuge in our Country and in our cities are welcomed. Today we witness a lack of openness towards those who have obtained a residence permit in Sweden. Solidarity doesn’t always come easily, but there’s no other option", state the signatories, who call for special attention towards migration policies involving children and family reunification. Germany, ecumenical report on religious freedom A few days ago the First Ecumenical report on the Religious Freedom of Christians in the world was presented in Berlin. The details of the document were illustrated by Msgr. Ludwib Schick, President of the Commission of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) for the universal Church and by evangelical bishop Martin Schindehütte, in charge of foreign affairs for the German Evangelical Church (EKD). The publication of an ecumenical report reflects "the desire of both Churches to jointly address this theme. The acts of injustice against Christians perpetrated on religious grounds is not a theme related to faith. That is why we have decided to speak out with a single voice", Schick underlined. "The Churches believe that support to Christians is enhanced via a deeper understanding of the situations of repression", he added. The evangelical bishop Schindehütte pointed out that the two German Churches have repeatedly denounced "the violations of fundamental human rights and the brutal acts of violence in the world against Christians". With the first ecumenical report, "German Churches intend to raise the awareness of citizens and of the political realm on the threats and hostilities against Christians in the world". Luxembourg, the homeless have lunch with the Bishop On July 3rd the homeless were received for lunch by the archbishop of Luxembourg, Msgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich in his home garden, with the support of various local charities. In the framework of the "barbecue at the home of the bishop", Hollerich met with journalists "to focus the media’s attention on the situation of the homeless in Luxembourg". Caritas, Stëmm vun der Strooss, the national Committee for social protection, the dormitories "Foyer de Nuit" and "Abrisud" took part in the initiative. The event was organized also with the support of the European Commission, in the framework of the European Year of Citizens. On a population of slightly more than 500 thousand inhabitants, the homeless in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg are estimated at 250-300 inhabitants, according to figures published past March by the Family and Integration ministry. According to estimates, 15 thousand people live under the threshold of poverty or are at poverty risk. Austria: religious minorities and societies On July 1-2 an Arab-European scientific Conference took place at the University of Vienna focusing on the "Contribution of religious minorities to society". According to the Catholic news agency Kathpress, the meeting, attended by Lebanese and Austrian theologians, was devoted to the situation of Christians in the Middle East. The Conference falls within an academic exchange and cooperation program launched last year, involving the University of Vienna and Lebanese and Arab university institutions.
