wfn.org | Church Officials Warn of Racism Growth in Europe

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

2-April-1997 
97147 
 
         Church Officials Warn of Racism Growth in Europe 
 
                         by Stephen Brown 
                  Ecumenical News International 
 
GENEVA--The general secretaries of four major church organizations based in 
Geneva have condemned the "racism which exists in Europe and our churches" 
and have warned that the "specter of anti-Semitism" is haunting Europe. 
 
     The statement, which comes in the European Year against Racism, was 
issued March 19 by the general secretaries of the four organizations -- 
Jean Fischer of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Ishmael Noko of 
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Milan Opocensky of the World Alliance 
of Reformed Churches (WARC) and Konrad Raiser of the World Council of 
Churches (WCC).  All four organizations have member churches in Europe. 
 
     The European Union, which has 15 member states in western Europe, has 
declared 1997 the European Year against Racism. 1997 is also the Ecumenical 
Year of Churches in Solidarity with Uprooted People. 
 
     "The continuing existence of the blight of racism is an affront to the 
ministry of Jesus Christ," the general secretaries said in their statement 
published in advance of the United Nations International Day for the 
Elimination of Racial Discrimination, held March 21. 
 
     They pointed out that many local congregations had shown solidarity 
with the "victims of racism and xenophobia" but called for a redoubling of 
efforts against racism. 
 
     "We view, with deep misgiving, the growing acceptance by individuals 
and political parties of organizations which promote racist views," they 
said. "Migrants, immigrants and refugees become scapegoats for 
unemployment, crime and a host of other problems throughout Europe." 
 
     They pointed out that not only migrants and refugees but also many 
individuals born in Europe are "discriminated against because of their 
color." 
 
     The "specter" of anti-Semitism haunting Europe revealed a "disturbing 
reluctance to deal with the past," they said in their statement, adding: 
"It is essential for us, as Christians, to actively oppose anti-Jewish acts 
and rhetoric, no matter the origin." 
 
     Jean Fischer, CEC's general secretary, told ENI "racism is 
particularly vicious because it really penetrates very deeply in society." 
 
     He called for "less indifference on the part of the church and more 
commitment." The church, he said, should "present a human face to all the 
victims of racism and xenophobia ... [and] I would like them [Christians] 
to extend an open hand, give them human warmth and protect them when they 
are assaulted, threatened or mishandled as if they are subhuman."  

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