June 21, 2009

WCC demands hospitality for immigrants


by David Masters

A leading Christian figure this week held up the Bible as the “ultimate immigration handbook” and called for the church to treat migrants with compassion and hospitality.

Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), made the comments against a backdrop of rising anti-immigration sentiment expressed at the European elections earlier this month.

Speaking at the opening of the “Churches Against Racism” conference in the Netherlands, Kobia highlighted Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan as the model of the Christian approach towards immigrants.

The Good Samaritan – a parable that challenges racial and religious prejudice – “speaks to us in this week after virulently anti-immigrant parties made unprecedented gains in European elections,” Kobia said.

“This parable of Jesus calls us again to consider, ‘Who is my neighbour’ and how are we to live out that relationship?

“Christ calls us to be neighbours of immigrants, of oppressed minorities within our own nations, of all who are in need of a neighbour.”

Kobia concluded by denouncing racism as a “sin against God”, who creates people of all colours and races.

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