Kretschmer: Charity is the cement of society

Saxony's government, together with the churches, has called for refugees to be treated with dignity. The principle of charity and lived responsibility is an essential cement of society, said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Dresden-Meißen, Heinrich Timmerevers, and the Protestant Bishop Tobias Bilz. Christian life, the Christian churches would create something in terms of community and warmth that the state could not achieve in this way. Refugees are not numbers and figures, but people who need to be treated humanely.

Bishop Timmerevers spoke out in favor of giving refugees the opportunity to work. Pope Francis had pointed out that work gives people dignity. However, we can also soberly see the possibilities that a state government has. There are limits. "We must do everything possible so that everyone who comes to us can experience this respect for dignified treatment," emphasized the bishop. Kretschmer added: "It can't be right for us to wonderfully administer away the people who come to us and let them sit at home. No, they have to do something, they should be able to work." That would give them dignity.

Bishop Bilz described the treatment of refugees as a litmus test. Human dignity must not be violated. The Saxon cabinet invites the bishops to a discussion once a year. At the request of the church leaders, this time the topic was migration.