Contemporary Migration Crisis. Challenges for the Church

Abstract

The aim of this article is to draw attention to the challenges facing  the Church in the current migration crisis in Europe, in the context of the debate on the admission of illegal immigrants and refugees arriving in Europe and the related social and cultural security.The article consists of three parts. The first is the historical dimension of migration and exile in Europe and the world. The second part presents the attitude of European societies to immigrants and refugees. Part three deals with current migration and refugee challenges for the Church.

Conclusions: In the debate on the contemporary influx of immigrants to Europe, we cannot forget the mass emigration from Europe in the nineteenth century, the first half of the 20^th century, and refugees connected with the First and Second World Wars. Catholic Church in Poland  should address firstly the lack of solidarity found between the EU states in addressing the problems of the migration crisis; secondly the attitude of Christians, which is not always in line with the teachings of the second Vatican Council, towards Muslims who seek to reach Europe from poor or conflicted regions.