Church celebrates contribution of immigrants
The Archbishop of Dublin called for protection of and vigorous prosecution of abuses against, vulnerable migrants. He backed the suggestion by Church of Ireland Archbishop John Neill that immigrants who had been living in Ireland for five years should have the right to stay in the country. And he called for an open, transparent, modern and enlightened national migration policy.
Dr Martin was speaking at the Festival of Peoples vigil Mass at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany.
The service, which was attended by people from the Lithuanian, Latvian, Romanian, Nigerian, Brazilian and Keralese Indian communities, heard prayers and readings in different languages. A 25-person choir, whose members hail from around the world, was specially formed for the service. There was also a procession of people in national costume at the Mass and gifts from different cultures were brought to the altar.
Dr Martin said the service was about celebrating the contribution by immigrants to Ireland’s economy, society and culture. “Immigrants make a vital contribution to the growth of our economy. Without them our economy and many essential services, especially in healthcare, would not be able to function.
However, he said: “Immigrants are not just units of economic policy; they are people, men and women, with families, with needs, with responsibilities, but also with talents and creativity, as well as their own culture and traditions.”
The archbishop said migrants were fragile and vulnerable and legislative policy towards people coming into the country should be welcoming and integrating. He also said the education system had an important role to play in introducing Irish children to the new intercultural reality.
“We need to encourage cultural diversity but also to avoid the creation, or simply the emergence in our society, of ghettos of ethnic groups who are disadvantaged and frustrated,” he said. “Experience in other countries has shown how such situations can be exploited in a manner which brings benefit to no-one.”
The archbishop said the story of the Three Wise Men, who represented all nations, showed salvation through Jesus went beyond borders of cultural, ethnic or religious background.
“This evening we want to celebrate that mystery in a new way for Dublin, in a changed Dublin where we recognise that our society is changing and the changing nature of what being Irish will mean in the future,” he said. “Coming together we embrace all those who have come here following a star of hope for a brighter future for themselves and their families and who now enrich our lives and culture with newness and difference.”
Dr Martin told the congregation that the Catholic Church welcomed them all, wherever they were from, as full members of the church in Dublin.
