Gabriella Ceraso - Vatican City 

The first voice is that of the cardinal and president of Comece, the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the European Community. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, in the wake of the Pope's appeal to the states of the European Union today at the general audience, as well as in his recent apostolic trip to Cyprus and Greece, to welcome refugees stranded in the countries of first reception, reiterates that there are many "our desperate brothers". They are the refugees in some European countries, who are waiting, in their cry for help and attention, "to be heard". “The Church in Europe cannot remain indifferent” therefore, we need "renewed commitment", a "prophetic voice" and "concrete examples of solidarity" towards the "children of God", men and women with "faces, stories and families".

At the general audience the Pope once again strongly urges shared interventions to alleviate the plight of migrants in the Mediterranean area. In the Paul VI Hall a family welcomed ...

COMECE: appeal to the institutions and the community 

With the Pope, COMECE therefore first of all asks the authorities of the European Union to "allow refugees who are blocked in the territories of first reception, as in the case of Cyprus and Greece, to be transferred to another EU country and to receive there the protection and promotion they need." Then the request also extends to the Church in Europe, made up of parishes, communities and faithful, so that they become "witnesses of Christ" especially in this Christmas season and welcome with a spirit of service those who arrive in search of protection. In a common effort we must aim - the cardinal asks - at concrete projects in collaboration with the public authorities.

May Jesus enlighten us to overcome indifference 

“May the Child Jesus who is about to be born enlighten us” - is the cardinal's final prayer - so that we can “recognize him in every refugee who knocks on our door” with the strength necessary to overcome indifference.

The response of the Slovenian Church: migrants, challenges and opportunities 

The Slovenian bishops welcome and greet the Pope's invitation by opening their communities to those in difficulty: migrants and refugees - they write in a message - are a "major challenge" for the member states. Countries and citizens are called to solidarity with those who knock on our doors looking for a better future. “Hospitality and welcoming foreigners have long been a sign of love and respect for the dignity of every human being. It is therefore important that our country and the European Union give all refugees and migrants the opportunity to legally obtain asylum for themselves and their families, helping them to integrate." The migrant issue is also an opportunity - the prelates point out - to reflect on what surrounds wars: arms trade, unfair economic policies, poverty and corruption. May "the Holy Family this Christmas - is the final hope - remind us to respect dignity, to the value of peace and solidarity". 

The Church of France: close collaboration is needed

The French Episcopal Conference also takes the same line and, in a note, reiterates the need, in the context of the reception of migrants, for "close collaboration" between Christians and the political authorities, "without which such a reception It is not possible". Recalling, then, the accompaniment projects which, in recent years, have multiplied in the French dioceses in favor of migrants and refugees, the bishops from beyond the Alps renew their desire to "contribute to this welcome" and in this perspective reiterate "the their willingness to dialogue with the French government".

The Austrian bishops in government: protecting dignity and rights

The Austrian prelates also show full support for today's appeal from Pope Francis to the European states and urge the federal government to join them in addressing the "tragic fate" of refugees within the European Union. The invitation to political leaders is to give a "sign of solidarity and humanity" and to accept a hundred families who "arrive from European reception camps whose asylum status has been recognised". The Austrian Church appeals to the European and Christian values ​​that are found in the project requested by the Pope, recalls the great humanitarian commitment already underway in the country and the willingness found among citizens to "cure and integrate", at the same time however he turns to Europe asking for "fair solutions and solidarity" that are still missing. The government has a clear demand to protect borders and people, dignity and rights without exceptions.

German Church: shared solutions and responsibilities

Through the Archbishop of Hamburg, Monsignor Stefan Hesse, the Church of Germany also responds favorably to the Pope's initiative to promote a fair and supportive distribution of those requesting hospitality in Europe. The Pope's incessant activity is a constant invitation to charity - they say - an example to follow. In consideration there is the picture of a Mediterranean and a Europe that does not improve on the migration front over time, on the contrary it adds pockets of misery in various areas especially on the eastern borders of the EU and in the Balkans. In this context, the Church in Germany calls for extensive reception programs and greater efforts to overcome the humanitarian crisis at the external borders, making itself available yesterday as today with the new political leadership. We need - writes the Archbishop of Hamburg - long-term solutions and sharing of responsibilities. Christmas - he concludes - reminds us every year that God becomes man in a defenseless child who needs protection. Even today we encounter Christ in people whose dignity is in grave danger. Thus, the Pope's appeal is not about abstract numbers, but about human beings who need our support."

The Church of Spain: yes to humanitarian corridors

We facilitate new ways of reception in our dioceses, we echo the Pope and we promote with the State, at all levels, the creation of humanitarian corridors and stable and inclusive solutions. Thus in a statement from the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care and Human Promotion, an organization of the bishops of Spain, in response to Francis' appeal today. "God knocks at our doors", the Christian communities and the whole of society are close to those who need it most: from the Church of Spain the emphasis is on responsible welcome and just and lasting solutions.

The availability of the Polish Church

The Church in Poland also supports the Pope's appeal for solidarity with the particular availability of Caritas which - the bishops assure - will continue. "We wish to assist - they write from the Episcopal Conference - on the basis of existing legal possibilities and in accordance with current regulations on migration, all those who express the desire to come and settle in our country". The bishops speak of both welcome and support for "long-term" integration with the linguistic and employment training of those who arrive.

JRS: thanks to the Pope, humanity becomes hospitality

Also in line and in support of the Pope and the Churches of Europe is the Jesuit Service for Refugees JRS to welcome, protect, promote and integrate those who migrate. Thus in a statement responding to the Pope's strong appeal. In particular, the Jesuits of Greece underline the sharing experienced with Francis, during his last apostolic journey, of the harsh reality of work in the Mediterranean and underline with bitterness the delay in negotiations in European migration policies and then the deaths, too many, at the external borders of the EU, still a "daily reality". The Jesuits recall the Pope's various interventions relating to the problem of nationalism and the need for shared responsibilities which no one can escape. "Let's think - they write the Jesuits - that deep within us lies the ability to open our doors to others: as human beings, we are driven to welcome strangers and build new relationships. Our hospitality communities are widespread throughout Europe as authentic meeting spaces and they constitute an invitation to be witnesses of hope. We all win when humanity becomes hospitality, because then hospitality becomes humanity".