Lutheran Church willing to accept 20 Christian immigrant families
Congregations of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church are ready to take in 20 families of asylum seekers, with the Catholic Church also showing willingness to help.
Avo Üprus, head of the Tallinn deanery, said the 20 families is an initial figure. He said the number of people in need might be larger.
He said the church is ready to help fellow Christians, and the subject has been debated in the church.
“We have found accommodation and possibilities to involve them in the life of congregations. Of course, this presupposes that the people want to join congregations, which, in turn, requires similar religious and cultural principles. If these are there, then we are there for them,” Üprus said.
He did not want to name which congregations will accept immigrants, adding that they will have to train staff first.
The Roman Catholic Church in Estonia has also held internal debate on the subject. Bishop Philippe Jourdan said many church members are very positive on helping, but there is still very little information.
“The most important thing is what is inside us, are we ready to help these people who need aid. Are we ready to make personal effort according to people's means, with some being able to do more, others less,” he said, adding that the will to help is more important than practical solutions.
Editor: J.M. Laats