The necessity of “an honest and open conversation” regarding migration has been emphasised by the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, reports RTE.
Archbishop Eamon Martin stated that “legitimate anxieties” have to be acknowledged in order for such a conversation to happen in his St. Patrick’s Day speech.
According to the Archbishop of Armagh, immigrants may very well view St. Patrick as their patron saint.
“He certainly understands the predicament of the trafficked unaccompanied minor; the exploited labourer; the escaping refugee; the immigrant, the emigrant; the expat; the student or missionary abroad! Saint Patrick wrote about enduring many hardships, hatred and insults in Ireland for being a foreigner,” he said, reports RTE.
This St Patrick’s Day, he added, it was worth asking how Ireland lived up to its image as a place of welcome, with kindhearted people ready to provide refuge to those who arrive in need.
He pointed out that in his remarks regarding migrants and refugees, Pope Francis had frequently used the phrases “welcoming,” “protecting,” “promoting,” and “integrating,” reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.