Coptic
Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
Bishop Angaelos gives address on refugee
crisis at World Council of Churches Church Leaders Consultation in Munich
29
October 2015
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of
the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, spoke of the challenges and
opportunities of the current refugee crisis at a World Council of Churches
Consultation in Munich, Germany, jointly hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Bavaria (ELKB), the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the World
Council of Churches (WCC).
During his address, Bishop Angaelos said:
“We are not only witnessing the immense
displacement of vulnerable people fleeing war-torn countries, but a
dehumanisation and a loss of dignity of those people…they do not leave their
countries unless they feel that they no longer have a viable presence there. We
need to look with a new heart, to encourage our states and governments, and all
who make decisions, to look at these people as more than mere statistics.”
Speaking of ways to address the crisis, he
went on to say:
“This epidemic that we are seeing needs to be
addressed collaboratively, across the Church and across religions, nation
states, organisations, and international bodies. This crisis is larger than any
one person, state, religion, or organisation, and so we need to encourage one
another to move on in active collaboration. Without a streamlining of our
efforts, we will see a wastage of both human and material resources.”
In conclusion, Bishop Angaelos gave a message
of hope:
“As Christians we believe that there is always
hope; this is a great opportunity for us all to be light in an abject darkness,
and a light that can and will make a difference.”
In speaking about the consultation shortly
after his address, Bishop Angaelos said:
“This is a welcomed initiative of WCC and its
member Churches to bring Church leaders together from across Europe and discuss
the implications both, in the Middle East and in Europe, of what we see
unfolding at the moment.
It is widely agreed here that there is a major
and complex situation in the Middle East, and that Christians and others are
facing immense pressures, living in great risk because of the conflict that is
occurring around them.
As I have been saying all along, the
complexity of the unfolding situation in the Middle East necessitates a
coordinated and collaborative response encompassing nation states, as well as
religious and non-governmental organisations and bodies. While this is a great
challenge, it is not one that cannot be met if we work together to safeguard
those most vulnerable.”
Taking part in the consultation were 35
bishops and Church leaders from 20 countries, and representatives from a
variety of Churches across Europe.
The programme included presentations and
discussions surrounding values and perspectives in the public sphere, along
with discussions of possible future strategies and steps for action to assist
those affected by the crisis.
*Ends*
