Church REMOVES altar, pulpits and Christian crosses 'to make refugees feel welcome'

A CHURCH is set to remove Christian crosses, altars and pulpits before refugees move in.

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Refugees are set to move into the church in Germany

The Protestant church in Oberhausen, Germany offered to make the group of 50 feel more welcome.

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Pastor Joachim Deterding said: "Before the refugees can move in, the seats have to be taken away. Also the altar, the pulpit and font are movable."

Washing machines will also be installed at the church square and refugees will be given free meals, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt.

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The parish had offered that to the city – we accept it gladly

Rainer Suhr

City spokesman Rainer Suhr said: "The parish had offered that to the city. We accept it gladly."

Earlier this month the Bishop of Stockholm told a church in her diocese to remove all signs of the cross to make the building “more inviting” for Muslim worshippers.

She also said the direction of Mecca should be marked and called Muslim refugees "angels".

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Syrian refugee arrives in Dortmund, Germany

Eva Brunne added: "It is important that there are places for praying sisters and brothers and we show hospitality and tolerance, regardless of faith. 

"Good people of different beliefs must be able to meet and help each other."

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Her comments sparked fury, with a priest in her diocese branding them "theologically unthinking".

Father Patrik Pettersson said: "The only argument bishop Eva really put forward in support of her view is 'hospitality'...

"How do you respond to that? Not much of a basis for discussion, as one colleague put it. The theological, ecclesiological, pastoral and working issues are left untouched."

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