Refugees
Cardinal Marx: “Now stand together”
The issue of refugees splits Germany and Europe. The Chairman of the German bishops ‘ conference, cardinal Reinhard Marx, warns of foreclosure and urging the Grand coalition in Berlin to a common course.
Reinhard Marx shows himself to be deeply concerned about the current mood in Europe and warns of a re-nationalization. “The European idea must not be present”, the continent should “not in the old templates are falling back”. At the same time granted to the Chairman of the Catholic German bishops ‘ conference on Sunday, a foreclosure of Europe, a rejection. The Church expect that everyone is a refugee, on European soil stand, “treated with dignity” and a fair and transparent procedure get, according to Marx. Also have a Europe for the people in the refugee camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan responsibility.
The Grand coalition in Germany should, in the refugee issue, “now here, standing together,” said the cardinal during the podium discussion “neighbors of the heaven” in the Catholic Academy in Berlin. The government must be aware that it is in the current challenge, “no easy answers” and there the problems are not in one or two years and mastered it. “We have to try, as a way to go.”
Marx is, by his own Admission “never in care” was like now that Europe is on the question of refugees auseinanderbreche. It should not happen that the countries of the EU the interests of the Nation “again in the foreground”. Therefore, would the Church make it clear that the project of Europe “is not only an economic project or a collection of countries, but a peace project. This would have Christians always used.
Understanding nationalisms in the East of the EU
Marx sees the Europeans in the responsibility also for people living in refugee camps outside the EU
Explicitly expressed the Munich cardinal to the mood in Central and Eastern European countries and to the development in Poland. Without a doubt showed itself again today stronger nationalisms, especially in smaller EU countries and in Central and Eastern Europe, “their identity to find” wanted. It would be in Germany “a bit more understanding,” said the cardinal. For rationale, he pointed out “the force of capitalism as invaded.” The inequality “with an announcement” become larger. It was not easy to handle and have a wider gap between rich and poor.
The German-Polish relationship according to an assessment of Marx as “precarious”. He don’t expect it auseinanderbreche. Just Catholics in Germany would have now to keep in contact. So should parishes existing contacts, to be present, to accept invitations, and aware of the need to talk.
Against Foreclosure Of Europe
Border fence between USA and Mexico: “it is Not the future of Europe”
The Catholic Church in Europe had a “common consciousness”. Marx added: “So far we haven’t.” Currently, the focus should be the Bishop of Eisenstadt in Austria, special representative of the bishops ‘ conferences of the European community (COMECE) to a common stance of the bishops at the so-called Balkan route effort.
Strongly warned Marx against a foreclosure of Europe in the refugee crisis. With reference to the border wall the United States to Mexico, he said: “This isn’t the future of Europe.” Pope Francis, in the middle of February, Mexico, visited, wants to in view of the separation barrier with migrants, a public worship.