Irish bishops focus on migrants for St Patrick’s Day
(Vatican Radio) The bishops of Ireland are calling for prayers for migrants on the
upcoming feast of St Patrick, 17 March. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Bishop
Brendan Leahy of Limerick said St Patrick recalls “the importance of looking after
migrants … (and) those who have emigrated”.
Bishop Leahy said the Irish bishops’
Council for Migrants, in their outreach and ministry among migrants both at home and
abroad, has issued a practical information pack, which seeks to prepare migrants for
the cultural changes they can expect.
“Because things that might seem very
obvious aren’t always so obvious to many people,” he explained. “And we’ve seen this
from the requests we’re getting in our own pastoral outreach to some of these countries
that many young people are finding themselves in need to ask for help in these very
practical issues, and this pack attempts to reach that need.”
He shared how
some young Irish migrants abroad struggle with many issues, both practical and psychological.
“And the more we can do to accompany them in their migration the better it is for
them and therefore for those of us here in Ireland, who remember them,” he said.
The
official message, issued by the Irish bishops, notes that St Patrick’s Day this year
will be celebrated “in the midst of an ongoing economic recession, which has resulted
in domestic heartbreak throughout Ireland for many individuals and families due to
the pressure of unemployment and emigration.
“As the plight of Patrick, himself
a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate
into new cultures,” it continues, “we encourage all the faithful to pray for migrants
at home and abroad as many face challenges arising from displacement and poverty.”
The
bishops also urge Catholics to mark the feast day with Mass.
Listen
to the interview with Bishop Brendan Leahy: Report
and interview by Laura Ieraci