EU Christian Church leaders: welcome the Roma people

(Vatican Radio)  European Church leaders have called for greater integration of the EU’s 10-12 million  Roma, saying “their inclusion is a necessary indication of our commitment for a shared European identity and the free movement of people, commerce and ideas.”

A joint statement issued 8 April by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the multidenominational Conference of European Churches (CEC) to mark International Roma Day describes the gypsy or traveler community as “among the most deprived and marginalized people of the continent.”

Daily discrimination, persecution of 600 year old community continue

Though the Roma have been present in Europe for more than 600 years, the statement says it is “a disgrace to all European countries” that they face “daily discrimination” and “even persecution.”  It also charges that Roma are “often denied access to basic schooling, housing and healthcare.”

“We need to acknowledge their situation, through the centuries, in the Holocaust and presently, and our responsibility for it” the statement reads.

The Church leaders invite the EU’s Christian communities to “welcome the marginalized  and uphold their human dignity as a gift from God”  and to “continue to support Roma wellbeing and actively work to end hate speech and social exclusion.” 

At the same time, they call the Roma people “with their unique traditions, faith and culture,” to “bring their values to European society as responsible citizens.”