Eritrea is one of the major sources of migrants to the European union, as it is believed that at least ten percent of the population has fled due to extreme violence, no work, and no hope for most people. The northeastern African nation that was once part of Ethiopia and borders the Red Sea has been filled with violence for many years, and such instead of simply “fleeing for money and handouts”, it has been for what remains of their lives.
To illustrate the extreme situation that many people find themselves in, it does not just include the common people, but major Church officials as well, as according to a report from the International Christian Concern by way of Persecution.org, the Catholic Archbishop and Cardinal of Ethiopia was denied entrance to Eritrea while on travel, and was forced to return home.
Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, along with several other high level Catholic officials from Ethiopia were refused entry into Asmara. The group was travelling to visit their fellow catholic brethren in the newly opened country and to celebrate the occasions of the Golden Jubilee and Patronal feast of the Cathedral Church of Kidanemhret. Despite having flown in legally, and applied for an on arrival visa at the airport, which is supposed to be legal for all Ethiopians, they were eventually denied when they tried to exit the airport. They had to spend the night in the airport, before returning to Ethiopia. (source)
This situation here is why so many people are fleeing Africa for other lands, including Europe. Migration happens often because of persecution (politics) and famine (natural causes), not because of simple selfishness, as many people are happy where they are and prefer to remain in an environment that is comfortable to them.
Likewise, it is a good reminder too that many of the migrants to Europe are not simply “young Muslim men of military age”, but a lot of Christian peoples who are being persecuted by Muslims, only to find more persecution in their new homeland.
As world events close in on a major conflict, there will be a lot more migration and violence all around the world. Because of this, it is imperative for all people- migrant and “native” (wherever the land is) -to show mutual respect, compassion, and kindness to each other, remembering the warning of Sacred Scripture “You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)
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