The Role of Churches in Europe's Refugee Integration

Far from their homeland, refugees and immigrants often face countless challenges as they deal with cultural differences, language barriers and the echoes of their past lives — especially those who witnessed the war. What helps those people feel the sense of belonging is religion. What makes them rediscover the essence of home in a foreign land is church. Churches, in many cases, have become more than places of worship. They have become beacons of hope, safe spaces for the healing souls with a window into the comfort of home. As of October 2022, the Czech Republic has granted Temporary Protection to 453,725 refugees fleeing from Ukraine. The country continues to register new arrivals, but the flow has considerably reduced since March 2022.