Faith and Frontiers: Investigating the Catholic Church's Influence on Migration Perceptions

This manuscript examines the role of the Catholic Church in shaping public perceptions of migration across Europe. Drawing on original survey data collected among priests in Slovakia and France, as well as focus groups with Catholic participants in France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, the study investigates how migration attitudes are formed and mediated through religious institutions. The paper explores the relationship between Church doctrine, national political contexts, and public perceptions of migration, highlighting important differences between Western and Central and Eastern Europe. Particular attention is paid to the role of clergy as opinion leaders, the interaction between religious and national identities, and the ways in which migration is framed as a humanitarian, cultural, or security issue. The manuscript contributes to research on migration perceptions, religion, public opinion, and migration governance in Europe. This publication was produced within the Horizon Europe project ACRONYM (Advancing Cooperation on Asylum and Migration Governance in Europe), Grant Agreement No. 101079420.