Episcopal bishop urges churches to hear refugee stories

Bishop Mark Edington of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe participated in a panel discussion organized by Religions for Peace and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on July 28 in Geneva, Switzerland. The event marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines refugee status, outlines rights, and sets protection standards. Panelists explored how values-based approaches can strengthen protection, dignity, and social cohesion for displaced populations. Edington reflected on how religious leaders and faith actors can best serve refugees and displaced people. He called on churches to exercise their prophetic voice by challenging negative stereotypes and caricatures about refugees. Rather than asking refugees what they need, Edington emphasized that churches should ask them to tell their stories. He argued that without hearing those narratives, religious communities are only talking among themselves rather than genuinely engaging with displaced people.

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Source: Episcopal News Service — https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/07/29/convocation-of-episcopal-churches-in-europe-bishop-joins-panel-discussion-on-shared-sacred-flourishing/