Churches in Front with Integration Initiatives

The refugee situation reached media headlines in Denmark in early September 2015 as images of refugees crossing from Germany into Denmark brought the reality of southern Europe to Danish soil. This new development has brought about considerable political debate about how Denmark as a country should react. The political answer has been the introduction of new asylum laws that aim to create less incentive to apply for asylum in Denmark. 

Even though most refugees have passed through Denmark towards their final destination in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, a growing number has registered in Denmark. The number of asylum applicants doubled in 2014 to almost 15,000 asylum seekers compared to the preceding year, and this year has seen an increase to almost 18,000 asylum seekers by the end of November. By 31 October the largest groups came from Syria (5843), Eritrea (1623) and Iran (1282). 

Earlier this year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark established Christian Refugee Network (Folkekirkens Asylsamarbejde) as a response to the growing need for a national coordination and sharing of experiences between local congregations who are involved in refugee work. The urgent need for basic humanitarian assistance is limited, but an increasing number of churches are involved in integration initiatives for refugees with residence permit and various social activities for asylum seekers in the camps.

The Christian Refugee Network focuses on strengthening the coordination between churches across various church denominations and church organisations to improve and facilitate cooperation between churches and municipalities responsible for the integration process. A key focus area is setting up friendship contacts between Danes and refugees so that Danes on a personal level can assist the newcomers with language, culture and traditions. Other activities include cultural excursions, dinner events, language cafés and international church services. Church organisations also invite refugees to volunteer in their non-profit second hand shops.

A national network of pastors appointed from each diocese has been set up to assist other pastors with theological and practical matters regarding conversion of asylum seekers. Conversion based asylum claims in the Refugee Appeals Board are of particular concern as the board’s credibility assessments often reveal a lack of theological understanding. An expert group with legal and theological expertise has been formed with the purpose of providing recommendations for the church and immigration authorities in conversion issues.

Søren Dalsgaard