Christian Churches and the European Union Immigration and Asylum Policy

Abstract

This article examines how Christian churches have contributed to the European Union immigration and asylum policy. It briefly discusses the main developments of the EU policy in the area of migration and asylum, and then explains why issues of migration are important to the churches (particularly that these issues are closely connected with the Biblical call to take care of a stranger). The article identifies the main Christian organisations, which work in the area of migration and asylum at the EU level, as well as their areas of specific contribution. It is found out that the strategy, used by Christian organisations, is similar to that of other non-governmental organisations, but it also bears the impact of their specific status and ‘family links’ with churches. Overall, it is sometimes difficult to separate the influence of Christian organisations from the influence of their secular counterparts working in the area of migration and asylum. However, the importance of Christian organisations is particularly noticeable in the area of monitoring and assessment, even to an extent that Christian organisations can be regarded as more important than secular ones.