2015-09-17 17:48:00

Caritas Europe: migrant crisis highlights EU solidarity crisis


(Vatican Radio) Caritas Europe says the EU’s inability to reach a common solution to meet the current migration crisis undermines the very essence of Europe as a common project, based on solidarity, democracy and liberty.

Caritas Europe, the network of Caritas organisations on the European continent, is on the front lines and deeply involved in delivering humanitarian assistance to the tens of thousands of refugees and forced migrants arriving in Europe. 

Caritas Europe’s General Secretary, Jorge Nuno Mayer told Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni that Europeans must stop being afraid of a changing social and cultural scenario and heed the message of the Pope and of the Gospel so that “we can create a very rich and beautiful peaceful society”.

But right now, quoting Cardinal Schonborn of Vienna, Nuno Mayer says we are not only dealing with a migrant crisis, but here in Europe we have “a crisis of solidarity, a crisis of humanity…” 

Listen to the interview: 
 
Nuno Mayer points out that if European decision-makers do not show the world that they are inspired and propelled by the values that are at the foundation of a united Europe, “then we have a problem”.

He says that our legislators and our politicians must be able to come up with solutions for people arriving in our countries, and also, he says: “for their countries of origin it is time for peace now”.

Reiterating the need for diplomatic efforts in these countries, Nuno Mayer also says it is necessary to put a stop to the trade of arms and to reinforce dialogue to ensure - and affirm - the diversity within Middle East societies.

“The salt and pepper in times of peace in the Middle East were precisely the Christian communities, the minorities, who always facilitated dialogue among the big groups of the population” he says.

He says that if we are to live up to our Christian values of solidarity and humanity, European Institutions are obliged to find solutions both for the people who are suffering on their way to Europe and for those who are in their home countries and in neighboring refugee countries.

Nuno Mayer says that much of the violence and rejection we are witnessing at the expense of refugees and migrants is the fruit of fear and ignorance.

He says that “if Christians do not understand that we must welcome refugees, they have not read the Gospel properly”.

In a Europe, whose identity is rapidly changing, it is necessary to inform and explain, Nuno Mayer says, and the media – he points out - has much responsibility in doing that in a proper and just way.

The Caritas Europe Secretary General also proposes a fourfold approach to tackle the crisis, save lives and provide long term durable solutions:

Setting up safe and legal pathways to Europe; implementing efficient integration policies that foster sustainable social integration; contributing to ensuring good living conditions in refugee camps which foster further human development and reintegration in labour markets; investing in diplomatic and political measures to end conflict.








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