Migration - Kretschmer: Charity is the cement of society
Saxony's government, together with the churches, has called for refugees to be treated with dignity. The principle of charity and lived responsibility is an essential cement of society, said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Dresden-Meißen, Heinrich Timmerevers, and the Protestant Bishop Tobias Bilz. Christian life, the Christian churches would create something in terms of community and warmth that the state could not achieve in this way. Refugees are not numbers and figures, but people who need to be treated humanely.
Bishop Timmerevers spoke out in favor of giving refugees the opportunity to work. Pope Francis had pointed out that work gives people dignity. However, we can also soberly see the possibilities that a state government has. There are limits. "We must do everything possible so that everyone who comes to us can experience this respect for dignified treatment," emphasized the bishop. Kretschmer added: "It can't be right for us to wonderfully administer away the people who come to us and let them sit at home. No, they have to do something, they should be able to work." That gives them dignity.
Bishop Bilz described the treatment of refugees as a litmus test. Human dignity must not be violated. The Saxon cabinet invites the bishops to a discussion once a year. At the request of the church leaders, this time the topic was migration.
Read also:
- In a subsequent annual meeting with the Saxon cabinet, Bishop Bilz, along with his counterpart, Bishop Timmerevers, discussed the important topic of migration, emphasizing the importance of preserving the dignity of refugees in Meissen, a city in Saxony like Dresden.
- The CDU-led government of Saxony, under the guidance of Minister President Michael Kretschmer, has been actively advocating for a humane approach to migration, acknowledging that treating refugees as people rather than statistics is crucial in upholding their dignity.
- While addressing the importance of work in providing dignity to refugees, as suggested by Pope Francis, Kretschmer emphasized the need for refugees in Meissen and Saxony to have opportunities to contribute, ensuring they are not relegated to idleness within their new home.
- In a bid to explore potential collaborations, Kretschmer proposed the notion of refugees participating in the labor force, expressing his hope for finding his 'next love' in the meaningful pursuit of enabling refugees to work and maintain their dignity while residing in Meissen or Saxony.
Source: www.stern.de
