Since migration from Africa has escalated to a point where people are being trafficked and abused, the Church has felt the need to become more vocal and active on this issue while retaining its identity and mission to evangelise.

This was the message that emerged from the annual congress of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) that this year focused on migration from Africa. It was held in Vienna, Austria over the weekend.

The conference concluded that if all humans are created in the image of God they must be treated accordingly, regardless of colour, sexuality and beliefs. Special treatment must be given to those most vulnerable, such as women with children, youngsters who travel alone, those with special needs and girls who can be targets of abuse.

A priority that emerged from the congress is that the Church needs to help out through financial, legal and medical assistance as well as through the provision of education, accommodation, acquisition of work permits and travel documents. The Church must also help migrants to benefit from programmes that can ensure a better future for them and their families.

The conference also stressed the need to put pressure on the authorities in various countries to reduce the need for people to leave their homes because of religious or political persecution, wars and poverty.

The final document of the congress will now be studied by the European Bishops who will meet in Budapest between September 30 and October 3 in order to clarify how this will be implemented in each diocese.