The Irish bishops have said there is “an inescapable need for migration” because the Irish economy could not function without the people who have come to Ireland to work in the hospitality, education, healthcare and technology sectors.
In a pastoral letter on welcoming the migrant titled: “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes? Exploring what hospitality for migrant people means in contemporary Ireland”, the bishops highlight that one-in-five workers in the Irish economy are “non-Irish nationals” with the economy at full employment and growing.
“It is a new experience for Ireland to be a destination for migrants, a clear sign of the country’s economic and social progress. No one can but doubt that these newcomers have become foundational to the positive operation of our society,” the bishops say as they appeal for a “culture of encounter” that goes beyond mere tolerance of newcomers.
“Such a culture fosters authentic participation and integration. Polite tolerance can leave migrants feeling isolated, but true Christian encounter involves mutual enrichment, where established communities and newcomers share and learn from each other.”
The bishops acknowledge that Ireland’s tradition of hospitality, céad míle fáilte, faces challenges due to rising immigration, which has exposed longstanding societal issues like housing, homelessness and gaps in social services.
“These challenges existed before immigration became a prominent issue, but some fearful and angry voices now call for closing borders,” they warn.
They appeal to Irish people to be conscious of their own history of migration which they underline has been a central part of Irish history, shaped by events such as war, famine, economic collapse, and now, climate change.
In the pastoral letter, which is published amid a rise in far-right anti-migrant and anti-refugee protests, they say that as Christians, the belief in the sanctity of life and the commandment to love your neighbour call people “to care for everyone, regardless of their background”.
The Catholic faith is a migrant’s faith, spread throughout Ireland by St Patrick, an immigrant and former slave, they say.
“The Irish diaspora played a key role in spreading the faith, with Irish missionaries and communities flourishing globally. Pope Francis, the son of immigrants, constantly highlights the sacredness of the migrant’s journey, reminding us that welcoming migrants is akin to welcoming Christ.”
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