At our September 18 – 19 meeting in Hamburg, the member churches of the CAECG gathered to
discuss how migrants and refugees are confronted with increasing anxiety and even hostility in our
society and how we can and should respond as international churches. We had not realised when
this event was planned a year ago, quite how timely this topic would be.

The AfD victory in the state parliament elections in Saxony-Anhalt is of significant concern to the
Anglican/Episcopal churches in Germany. Our congregations are mainly made up of people who have
moved to Germany from around the world. Some have come to be with their families, some with
their companies or to find work, some to study, and some as refugees. They make up a majority of
our members, and we cannot avoid being worried and even afraid when a party who sees foreigners
as a problem to be solved, receives so many votes. As Christians we believe that all human beings are
made in God’s image and have an inherent value. Policies that aim to discriminate against groups of
people based on their origin, status, religion, or disability are simply not consistent with the message
of the Gospel.

For this reason, we stand in particular solidarity with migrants, refugees, religious minorities and all
those who may now feel that their belonging, safety or dignity is being questioned. Electoral success
can never legitimise racism, xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia leading to the
exclusion of any person from the shared life of society. We therefore call upon our congregations
and all people of goodwill to resist the politics of fear, defend democratic institutions and build
communities in which every person is recognised as a neighbour bearing the image of God.
Together with the other churches in Germany, we will therefore critically observe and accompany
the situation in Saxony-Anhalt from the perspective of the Gospel. We remain open to dialogue and
accept that there are different opinions on the political questions regarding immigration and borders,
but we are compelled as Christians to speak forth when human dignity is violated or the rule of law
is undermined. We will continue to contribute to the cohesion of the society of which we are now a
part, whether as temporary guests, legal residents or citizens. We will continue our work with
migrants and refugees.

Over forty years ago, the Anglican Communion developed and adopted The Five Marks of Mission.
Two are particularly relevant for the current situation:

• To respond to human need by loving service
• To transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace
  and reconciliation.

These will continue to guide our life and our work.

The Standing Committee on behalf of the Council of Anglican Episcopal Churches in Germany
Hamburg, 19 September 2026