Can churches help make an alternative asylum system a reality?

Can churches help make an alternative asylum system a reality?

Pauline.Tete

Thu, 10/08/2026 - 15:44

Dr Torsten Moritz, general secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), reflects on a recent conference, “ Protecting People More Than Borders,” and how churches can help make an alternative asylum system a reality.

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Photo: Joy Eva Bohol/CCME/UMCOR

What were your biggest takeaways from the conference?

Dr Moritz : We met 28-30 September with some 30 participants representing churches from all over Europe. Discussions were around a draft paper outlining what elements of an alternative, protection-oriented asylum system in Europe could look like – a system which protects people more than borders.

These were very earnest discussions. They showed how important it is in asylum policy and practice to put the human being first - and how often this is not the case in Europe these days. There is thus great support for the draft paper. At the same time, there is a fear that any policy reform might even more be influenced by the extreme right and those following their agenda. Last not least,…