Refugee crisis - Pope’s gesture

AN understanding of the extent of the appalling refugee crisis in Southern Europe has finally reached the Vatican.

Pope Francis has called on every European parish and religious community to take in one refugee family each in a gesture of solidarity he said would start at his own front door.

During his weekly Mass in St Peter’s Square yesterday, the Pope declared: “I appeal to the parishes, the religious communities, the monasteries and sanctuaries of all Europe to take in one family of refugees.”

To show these are not just empty words, he has ordered that two parishes in the Vatican will take in a family of refugees each in the coming weeks.

Considering the number of half-empty religious houses in Ireland, it is essential that helping refugees will not be left entirely to the laity and those in charge of monasteries and parish properties ensure that there is ‘room at the inn’ for refugees.

Pope Francis has shown leadership in this crisis, showing it is as important to practise Christianity as it is to preach it.