#WorldRefugeeDay is Today

“Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions …  We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation.”  – Pope Francis

Today is World Refugee Day.  It is time to show world leaders that the global public stands in solidarity with the millions of refugees who have fled their homes due to war or persecution.  These are real people with families whose lives, hopes and dreams have been dramatically disrupted by conflict.  Each of us can make a difference by contacting our national leaders and asking for their support to aid refugees, work to end the conflicts that have led to their fleeing and help to return them home.  Your voice and mine can make a difference.

Southern Baptists Support Refugee Resettlement

Delegates praying at the Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis. (Jeff Robertson/AP)
In opposition to Donald Trump’s constant rhetoric against refugees, the SBC has chosen Christianity xenophobic  nationalism and called for an increase in refugee resettlement in the United States.  The Catholic Church and the Southern Baptists stand in solidarity on this and many other issues.  Read more: SBC Split with Trump

A Refugee “Do Unto Others” Story

A 1945 photo of a Greek refugee camp in Nuseirat, southern Palestine (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration)

From 1940-1945 the countries of the Middle East accepted refugees fleeing war torn Europe.   It does not seem too much to ask that the same generosity now be extended to war refugees from the Middle East fleeing toward Europe.
The full, mostly forgotten story is here.

Refugees Risk Death for Freedom and Peace

Pope Francis holds a used life vest. (Gregorio Borgio/Reuters)

In the past six days over 700 people, real humans with lives, families and dreams have died seeking refuge from war and pesecution. I have been asked if refugees are crazy for trying to escape or if they are a threat.  The answer is clear, only someone who is desperate would risk death to escape the violence of their home country.  Crazy people wouldn’t be rational enough to leave and terrorists would be crazy to take a high risk, Continue reading “Refugees Risk Death for Freedom and Peace”