Commemorate Persons who lost their lives on their way to seek safety

The Assembly of the Conference of European Churches held in Budapest in July 2013 has renewed the call on churches to “to commemorate those who have died on their journey to find a dignified life in Europe through an annual day of prayer.”

The tragedy of Lampedusa in October 2013 has brought the fate of persons crossing the Mediterranean Sea and seeking safety to the attention of European societies and governments. Yet, many more tragedies occur at the Southern European borders: this year has already seen tragedies at Farmakonisi and Samos, Greece, several incidents at the fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta and Melilla in addition to Lampedusa, Italy and Malta. The number of refugees registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has doubled since last year and is now close to 2,8 million persons.

“We would like to reiterate the call of the CEC Assembly and thus call on churches across Europe to commemorate the persons who have lost their lives on their way to Europe”, the general secretaries of CEC Dr. Guy Liagre and Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe Ms Doris Peschke said. “This year we wish to recommend holding services of commemoration on 22 June, the Sunday after the International Refugee Day 20 June.”

CCME has published material which can be used for worship or intercessions during a service. This is available in English and German and can be found on the CCME website: English  German

************

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches, partner organisations and national councils of churches from all over Europe. Its vision: A humane, socially just and sustainable Europe at peace with itself and its neighbours. Its mission: To promote and empower its members, sharing their spiritual life, strengthening their common witness and service, seeking reconciliation and fostering the unity of the Church.  CEC was founded in 1959 and has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.www.ceceurope.org

For more information:
CEC General Secretariat
Phone: +41 22 791 6228
Fax: +41 22 791 627
Email: GenSecretariat@cec-kek.org

Letter to the CEC and CCME Member Churches and Associated Organisations

Gedenken an Menschen, die ihr Leben auf der Suche Sicherheit verloren haben