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Church leaders from Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark signed a statement demanding that we take “human responsibility” for refugees on the border between Turkey and Greece.
“We are now in the Christian fasting period of Lent,” the statement reads. “It is a time of reflection, a time for examining our personal life and our life as a member of society.”
The statement acknowledges the physical and mental boundaries now being tested by the spread of the new coronavirus and the developing refugee situation on the external borders of Europe.
“A common trait of both challenges is that they require us to take personal and shared responsibility, across all boundaries and irrespective of political convictions,” the statement reads. “They challenge us as people and members of the human race.”
Burdens should be shared and shouldered jointly, the church leaders urge. “People who are fleeing insupportable conditions can lose almost everything – but never their human rights,” reads the statement. “What is currently happening on the border between Turkey and Greece, is putting our humanity to the test.”
Complex political, cultural, financial and democratic problems give rise to legitimate concerns and fears, the statement reads. “Such fears must be taken seriously, but must not keep us captive and prevent us from shouldering our responsibility.”
