Inhalt
Joint Statement by the German Bishops’ Conference and the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany in cooperation with the Council of Christian Churches in Germany
With the document “Shaping migration in a humane manner”, the German Bishops’ Conference and the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) – in cooperation with the Council of Christian Churches in Germany (ACK) – are presenting a new Joint Statement on Migration. This is the successor to the 1997 document “... any foreigner residing in your towns”, which for many years was regarded as the central church text of reference for questions of migration and flight.
The starting point of the document is an analysis of relevant developments in the migration discourse of the last two decades. In a next step, specific ecclesiological and pastoral patterns are elaborated. The development of a biblical-theological learning history is followed by a reflection on the foundations of Christian migration ethics and its practical consequences. This is complemented by an outline of several political and legal issues, such as the significance of human rights in the context of migration, the dimension of global cooperation, migration and asylum policy as common European policy fields, and questions of integration and citizenship. In a concluding section, guiding principles for church action in a migration society are formulated.
“Shaping Migration in a Humane Manner” aims to contribute to finding appropriate answers to the concerns of migrants and refugees. Migration is understood as a multi-layered phenomenon. Accordingly, the document is addressed to a wide circle: to professional and voluntary workers in church pastoral care and in charitable work, to decision-makers in administration and politics, but also to all believers and citizens who come into contact with questions pertaining to migration.
With the document “Shaping migration in a humane manner”, the German Bishops’ Conference and the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) – in cooperation with the Council of Christian Churches in Germany (ACK) – are presenting a new Joint Statement on Migration. This is the successor to the 1997 document “... any foreigner residing in your towns”, which for many years was regarded as the central church text of reference for questions of migration and flight.
The starting point of the document is an analysis of relevant developments in the migration discourse of the last two decades. In a next step, specific ecclesiological and pastoral patterns are elaborated. The development of a biblical-theological learning history is followed by a reflection on the foundations of Christian migration ethics and its practical consequences. This is complemented by an outline of several political and legal issues, such as the significance of human rights in the context of migration, the dimension of global cooperation, migration and asylum policy as common European policy fields, and questions of integration and citizenship. In a concluding section, guiding principles for church action in a migration society are formulated.
“Shaping Migration in a Humane Manner” aims to contribute to finding appropriate answers to the concerns of migrants and refugees. Migration is understood as a multi-layered phenomenon. Accordingly, the document is addressed to a wide circle: to professional and voluntary workers in church pastoral care and in charitable work, to decision-makers in administration and politics, but also to all believers and citizens who come into contact with questions pertaining to migration.
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Shaping Migration in a Humane Manner (1.86 MB)