World Council of Churches towards Migration and Poverty
World Council of Churches towards Migration and Poverty

Summary/Abstract: The article is an outlook on the process of migration from the point of view of the World Council of Churches. It mainly examines the key document of the WCC on this subject: The „other” is my neighbour. Developing an ecumenical response to migration. From Christian perspective the people of God is in constant pilgrimage on this Earth, as proved by story of Israel and in the life of Jesus and his disciples. Migration considerably changes the ecclesial landscape of the country of exodus and of the country of destination. Cultural, linguistic, theological and liturgical enrichment of the countries of settlement means in the same time the impoverishment of the countries abandoned by migrants from the same values.One of the main reasons of migration is poverty. The last however may also be a result of migration, if displacement is caused by war or persecutions. The migrants are often exposed to exploitation and unfair treatment. The diagnosis by WCC leads to issuing of a series of recommendations for the Churches: treating migrants with dignity, providing pastoral support, incorporating migrants into the parish work and liturgical celebrations, etc. By applying the rule of love of one’s neighbour Christians should made every effort to welcome migrants and make them home in the local ecclesial communities.

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