The Catholic Church on Friday slammed the final declaration that emerged from Thursday's emergency EU summit on the migrant crisis, saying it fell short and contained proposals that could endanger lives.
The summit was called after 700 people lost their lives when their unseaworthy boat capsized off Libya on April 19. "We are not satisfied with this accord," said Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio', who presides the Pontifical Council on Migrants.
Increasing funding for the EU's Triton patrol and rescue operation is "something" but "won't solve the problem". "What's needed is a long-term program and a serious migration policy," the cardinal said.
He went on to call Britain's refusal to host rescued migrants "very egotistical".
"Everyone is ready to give money, as long as (migrants) don't come disturb them in their countries," he said. "This is not a solution".
The cardinal also rejected in no uncertain terms, the proposed taking out of people traffickers' boats via "surgical operations" in north Africa.
"Bombing a country is an act of war," the cardinal said.
"Who can guarantee that the weapons won't also kill nearby people? You can destroy all the boats, but the problem of migrants fleeing wars, persecutions and misery will still exist," he said.
"Bombing the boats is useless," the cardinal said.
"Desperate people will keep finding new ways to flee...they will make more boats, or flee on land".
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