The Catholic Church entered into the fray of the worsening refugee crisis in Europe. Pope Francis has called to every parish, monastery, religious community, and sanctuary to take in at least one refugee family. This is an appeal that can have huge implications to the current influx of migrants from the Middle East. This call can also offer shelter to tens of thousands of displaced people from the various conflict-ridden countries in the Arab region.
The Pope's call came in as Hungary is determined to stick with its position not to usher migrants across their borders. Hungary is even thinking about building a high fence by Sept. 15, sealing its southern frontier where the migrants are coming from. Al Jazeera reported that the country's stand is a defense of Europe's prosperity, identity, and Christian values against an influx of mainly Muslim refugees.
Hungary's foreign minister Peter Szijjarto made it very clear that his country should not be blamed for adhering to the EU rules, citing "failed migration policy of the EU" and "the series of some irresponsible statements made by European politicians" as the primary reason for the crisis.
The Pope's appeal is far from the stand of many predominantly catholic European countries on the refugee crisis. Slovakia used religion to thwart the influx of migrants into their state.
"We don't have any mosques in Slovakia, so how can Muslims be integrated if they are not going to like it here?" Ivan Netik, Slovakia's interior ministry spokesman, told the BBC last month.
However the Pope challenges statements like the one made by Netik with a direct reference to the gospel.
He was quoted by the Washington Post as saying, "Facing the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees — fleeing death by war and famine, and journeying towards the hope of life — the Gospel calls, asking of us to be close to the smallest and forsaken. To give them a concrete hope, and not just to tell them: 'Have courage, be patient!' "
Pope Francis has always been unafraid to get into the most controversial debates and issues of the world. His latest appeal regarding the refugee situation in Europe is another example of his guts to face Christian issues head on.
