Statement of the Nordic Bishops on Migration

Migration is a typical phenomenon of our globalized world of today. We can look on it as a sign of God’s providential love that can strengthen the bonds of universal solidarity between peoples. Thanks to immigration our local churches in the Nordic countries have been able to develop and bring the Gospel to many in our secularized society. We are most grateful to the Catholics who have come from all over the world to help us to build up our Church.

According to the Church’s social doctrine, the countries receiving immigrants and refugees should treat them with justice and love. Lately, though, we Bishops have noticed some alarming signs in the Nordic countries: a lack of generosity to receive refugees and asylum seekers, a growing xenophobia, segregation etc. We call, therefore, on all people of good will to work for an open and welcoming society where every single human being is treated in a just and truly human way.

As Catholic Bishops in the North of Europe we commit ourselves to do all we can to offer our immigrants the pastoral care they need, in their native language, when needed. We also call upon them to help us to build a Catholic community together with believers of all origins. We, the Catholic Bishops of the Nordic countries maintain our decision not to have any national parishes, but through our pastors to offer care in various languages. It is our deep desire to promote cooperation between our local parishes and various national groups in order to be what we really are: one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, where believers of all nationalities and races are united as a prophetical sign of the heavenly Jerusalem.