Perspectief 2017-36

Perspectief 22 Werk van jonge theologen against refusing entry to people fleeing life-threatening situations, not all members of the Church share this position. While respecting the example of Christian charity such an attitude displays, they comment that the virtue of prudence must be observed as well. In September 2015, the Hungarian archbishop Péter Erdő forbade Hungarian Catholic churches to accommodate refugees, as he believed this would constitute complicity to human trafficking. Another bishop of the country, Laszlo Kiss-Rigo, remarked that Pope Francis “doesn’t know the situation”, asserting “they’re not refugees. This is an invasion. (…) They want to take over.” He also claimed that many refugees behave in an arrogant manner. 73 In a joint statement, the Hungarian bishops expressed their concern for the plight of Christians in the Middle East, but also emphasised the duty of the State to protect its borders and citizens 74 . Others cite the Catechism of the Catholic Church 7576 , which explicitly states that prudence “guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure” 77 . According to this point of view, in the case of the refugee crisis charity is the main virtue that requires guidance. A limited extension of charity on the grounds of prudence “is not to be confused with timidity or fear” 78 . Another relevant element of Catholic social teaching discussed in the Catechism is the common good. The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK) criticised Lutheran chancellor Angela Merkel’s views on immigration, which will be elaborated upon in the 73 Witte, G. (2015) Hungarian bishop says pope is wrong about refugees accessed June 1, 2016 at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hungarian-bishop-says-pope-is-wrong-about- refugees/2015/09/07/fcba72e6-558a-11e5-9f54-1ea23f6e02f3_story.html. 74 Haszanz (2015) Erdő Péter szerint embercsempésszé válna az egyház, ha befogadná a menekülteket accessed June 1, 2016 a t http://444.hu/2015/09/03/erdo-peter-szerint-embercsempessze-valna-az- egyhaz-ha-befogadna-a-menekulteket/. 75 Kilpatrick, W. (2015) Dangerous Compassion in the Syran Refugee Debate? accessed September 12, 2016 a t http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/dangerous-compassion-in-the-syrian-refugee-debate. 76 Unknown author (2016) Prudential judgement accessed June 1, 2016 at https://americanmorals.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/prudential-judgement/. 77 Catholic Church (1992) Catechism of the Catholic Church Vatican City, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, art. 1806. 78 ibid. 1806.

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