At their recent Spring Meeting in Maynooth, the Bishops’ Conference highlighted the “exceptional work” being done by parishes, schools and religious communities around the country to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees by extending their hand of friendship but also reminded Government that it must fulfil their commitment to integrate people coming to Ireland.
The bishops discussed how Ireland “welcomes immigrants, refugees and people seeking asylum” and that they’re grateful “to the many people in communities across the country, including those in parishes, schools and religious communities, who are doing exceptional work in extending the hand of friendship to people who have had to escape from war and oppression or for reasons of economic necessity”.
The bishops also expressed the need for greater efforts to integrate people coming to Ireland and that Government and those with responsibility need to do more to fulfil their commitment to integration.
The bishops reported that each diocese in Ireland has appointed a Diocesan Liaison Person for immigrants, and these will meet for the first time at a national level during the month.
