Goldschmidt's remarks, published in Neue Zürcher Zeitung, expressed concerns over the implications of the Pope's immigration policy. He stated it could result in "chaos and political upheaval".

Rabbi Goldschmidt pointed to recent incidents such as the Solingen mass stabbing and electoral outcomes in France and Germany as signs of the challenges posed by uncontrolled immigration.

He warned that if Europe fails to address these fears, it could threaten democracy and destabilise the European Union.

"The price could be very high with the impending destruction of the European project and the loss of democracy in many European countries" wrote Goldschmidt.

Grave sin

The Pope's position on migration was outlined in an address in St Peter's Square at the end of August. He condemned efforts to block migrants, stating it was a "grave sin" to deny them entry.

Pope Francis argued that restrictive policies, militarised borders and migrant pushbacks cannot solve the issue. Instead, he called for global cooperation based on justice and solidarity to manage migration effectively.

Goldschmidt acknowledged the Pope's emphasis on compassion and moral duty to help those in need. However, he stressed the importance of preserving Europe's democratic values and public safety.

"Europe must remain a place of refuge for people in need, but it must also protect its democratic values and the safety of its citizens" he noted.

The former Chief Rabbi of Moscow argued that successful migration must go hand-in-hand with integration.

He highlighted the need for immigrant communities to embrace the values of their host countries, including democracy and individual rights.

"However, the most important prerequisite for the successful integration of new immigrants is the willingness of immigrant communities to integrate and accept the values of the host society" Goldschmidt emphasised.

The European Rabbinical Conference represents approximately 1,000 members and 800 active rabbis of the Orthodox faith.

Sources

Katholisch

Vatican News

CathNews New Zealand

Record numbers are arriving in Italy and Greece this year, and yet other European governments have agreed to share less than a fifth of them.

Hungary is building a wall to keep them out. For the same reason, France has sealed its border with Italy.

In Greece, for much of this year there were doubts over the legality of giving a refugee a lift.

But on a local level, there are thousands of people across the continent who are braving the vitriol of their peers, and filling the void left by the politicians. Many Europeans back their governments' stance but their xenophobia masks another phenomenon - that of a huge drive by ordinary citizens to welcome refugees, rather than reject them.

From the Hungarian volunteers providing round-the-clock support to Syrian and Afghani newcomers, to the Spanish priests assisting migrants with paperwork, here are seven movements from across Europe that are fighting for refugees' rights.

Germany

Germany has more people applying for asylum than any other EU country and is this year expecting to receive more than 400,000 applications, more than double the number in 2014.

Overcrowding of accommodation is seeing many asylum seekers being housed in tents, sport halls and container villages.

Mareike Geiling in Berlin believes there's a better way. Last year she decided to offer her room to a friend of a friend who had fled Mali, while she was away in Cairo for a few months.

"It was nothing special - I always tell people these refugees have the same issues and things to do as we do, they have to sleep, they have to eat, they have to shower. He is a very nice person and living together is very normal." Continue reading

Sources

• Maryline Baumard of Le Monde in Paris, writing in The Guardian
• Image: Debating Europe