CCME Press Release of 5^th May 2010

Christian Ministry in Cultural Diversity -
“possible, but new strategies, methods and training required”

European workshop reviews churches´ efforts in migrants´ activation, participation and mutual integration

Some 35 representatives of churches across Europe, other faith communities, academia and local political actors met in Brussels from 3^rd to 5^th May 2010 to take stock of recent developments in the work of churches and other communities of faiths on integration with migrants and ethnically inclusive ministry of churches. The workshop was the final workshop of the MIRACLE project (Models of Integration through Religion, Activation, Cultural Learning and Exchange), which the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) had carried out with partners from across Europe since December 2008.

The meeting looked at recent efforts of churches in countries as diverse as Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden to enhance co-operation and synergy between so-called “traditional” churches and “migrant-led” churches.

Through national and regional workshops and trainings in the six participating countries the MIRACLE project had initiated and invigorated processes of different churches striving “to be church together” in a response to migration. Presenters from the different countries described how the European process of cooperation had helped to advance national debates and learn from one another. Positive experiences echoed that “a lot of mutual recognition between traditional and migrant-led churches was achieved in recent years” and “our witness has become more inclusive”, while more sceptical voices highlighted that “expectations regarding results of this uniting in diversity are still too different to be reconciled”. Many participants underlined that the MIRACLE project had moved forward discussions by offering concrete methods and tools for churches to move towards more inclusive ministry. It was concluded that a more inclusive Christian ministry was “possible, but required new strategies, methods and training”.

The reflections from within the family of Christian churches were enriched by inputs from partners representing Muslim and Jewish organisations reflecting on their communities´ experience with integration issues. Representatives of secular initiatives such as the EU Integration Forum and the network of Cities for Local Integration Policies (CLIP) highlighted the increasing recognition of the contribution of churches and other faith communities to social cohesion in multiethnic societies.

Marja-Liisa Laihia, Migration officer of the Lutheran Church in Finland, commented: “For us the MIRACLE project helped to provide a clear focus: to work for the equality of Migrant Christians in our churches. Migrant Christians have the right to be equal part of our church; and through their contribution to our church they help to transform and renew our witness. The MIRACLE project has strengthened our conviction that measures and programmes to increase Migrant Christians´ participation and equality in our churches is not only an obligation, but an immense opportunity for the future of our church”.

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Results of the MIRACLE project will be published in a practical guide by June 2010.

For more information contact Torsten Moritz at CCME, info@remove-meccme.be, Tel.+32 2 234.68.08

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The Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) is the ecumenical agency on migration and integration, asylum and refugees, and against racism and discrimination in Europe. Members are Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Churches and Councils of Churches as well as church-related agencies across Europe. CCME formally cooperates with the Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches.