Pray and act to help refugees – what Pope Francis and Orthodox leaders said at Lesbos

Lesbos, Greece, Apr 17, 2016 / 16:13 pm

Forced migration affects millions of people and is "a crisis of humanity." That is what Pope Francis and two leading Greek Orthodox churchmen have said in a joint declaration signed on the Greek island of Lesbos.

"Europe today faces one of its most serious humanitarian crises since the end of the Second World War," the declaration said.

Pope Francis, the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece signed the declaration April 16. They traveled to the Greek island to meet some of the thousands of refugees and migrants trying to enter Europe.

"We urge the international community to make the protection of human lives a priority and, at every level, to support inclusive policies which extend to all religious communities," they said.

"The terrible situation of all those affected by the present humanitarian crisis, including so many of our Christian brothers and sisters, calls for our constant prayer."

They said the meeting is intended to bring courage and hope to those seeking refuge. They appealed to all Christians to follow Jesus Christ's words in the Gospel of Matthew: "For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me..."

At a Lesbos port, the three religious leaders said prayers and threw laurel wreaths into the sea, where thousands of migrants have lost their lives.

"World opinion cannot ignore the colossal humanitarian crisis created by the spread of violence and armed conflict, the persecution and displacement of religious and ethnic minorities, and the uprooting of families from their homes, in violation of their human dignity and their fundamental human rights and freedoms," their declaration said.

The declaration said their meeting aimed to demonstrate their "profound concern" at the tragic situation of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who flee conflict and threats to their own survival. The crisis calls for solidarity, compassion, generosity and "an immediate practical commitment of resources."

"As leaders of our respective Churches, we are one in our desire for peace and in our readiness to promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation," the Pope and the Orthodox leaders said.

They encouraged political leaders to use every means to ensure that individuals and communities, including Christians, "remain in their homelands and enjoy the fundamental right to live in peace and security."

They called for a broad international consensus to defend the rule of law and fundamental rights, to protect minorities, to develop safe resettlement procedures and to eliminate unsafe routes. They said the Aegean Sea and the entire Mediterranean were among these unsafe routes.

"In this way we will be able to assist those countries directly engaged in meeting the needs of so many of our suffering brothers and sisters," they said.

Over 150,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Greece by sea so far in 2016. Many of the refugees in Lesbos come from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The declaration declared solidarity with the people of Greece, saying these people have responded to the crisis with generosity despite their own difficulties.

"Together we solemnly plead for an end to war and violence in the Middle East, a just and lasting peace and the honorable return of those forced to abandon their homes," the declaration continued. "We ask religious communities to increase their efforts to receive, assist and protect refugees of all faiths, and that religious and civil relief services work to coordinate their initiatives."

Pope Francis and the Orthodox leaders urged an extension of temporary asylum, refugee status for those eligible, and expanded relief efforts.

The declaration voiced resolve to strengthen efforts to promote full Christian unity.

"By defending the fundamental human rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and the many marginalized people in our societies, we aim to fulfill the Churches' mission of service to the world," they said.

Pope Francis returned to Italy with 12 Syrian refugees, six of whom were children. They will be hosted by the Sant'Egido Community.