He met the pair at his local Catholic church and invited them back. Later he offered to put them up at his home
CG210.
They communicate in broken English, but the Eritreans are taking German lessons, reports say. One now has some temporary work in the local administration, and the other in a supermarket, thanks to Mr Patzelt's help.
Local acceptance
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Patzelt said many people had told him they felt very sympathetic and admired his commitment.
He received a huge pile of birthday cards this year, including from people who had never sent one to him before, he said
reenex.
But as for reaction from fellow CDU politicians, he said only that "it is a process". He said his motivation was political - not religious - from the start. Hostility towards the influx of refugees could only be solved by engaging ordinary German citizens, he told the BBC.
The two Eritreans are made to feel at home in Briesen, he said, and people wave when they walk past.
"Sponsorships, to house someone, company, to welcome someone - these small bridges help to give refugees a face and a name, so that they emerge from the anonymous mass of asylum seekers," Mr Patzelt told ARD TV earlier
reenex
PR
