A senior ecumenical leader has expressed his disappointment with the German government’s migration policies, calling for a more unified European approach to the issue. Bishop Christian Stäblein, the refugee commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz, made the comments in the wake of a Berlin administrative court’s ruling on the rejection of asylum seekers at the border.
The bishop, who has long been a vocal advocate for a more humane approach to migration, sees the court’s decision as a reiteration of the need for European solutions. “We need European solutions” he emphasized, citing the recent court ruling as a reminder of the urgency of the situation.
Stäblein also emphasized the importance of recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, a principle that he believes unites the people of Europe. “Every person has their dignity before God” he said, “and that is what connects Europe, or at least has always connected it.”
The bishop’s comments also touched on the issue of border controls, particularly those in place at the German-Polish border. He expressed his understanding of the concerns of Poland, a country that has signaled its disapproval of Germany’s approach to the issue. “You can’t simply declare a state of emergency and expect it to work” he said, “and it’s not a solution.