Relatives of Carrickmines fire victims meet pope

More than 600 Irish and UK-based travellers, including members of the extended families of the Carrickmines fire victims, attended an audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican this morning.

Delegations from the nomadic communities of Argentina, Ireland, Italy, Spain and many Eastern European countries attended an audience held to mark the 50th anniversary of a visit made to a nomadic encampment in Pomezia, near Rome by Pope Paul VI.

The Dublin delegation of travellers was accompanied by the priest at the Parish of the Travelling People, Fr Derek Farrell, who told The Irish Times:

“This has been planned for many months and it has nothing to do with the Carrickmines tragedy but it does provide a context. The pope spoke to us about respect for nomadic communities and the importance of dialogue and its role in integration.

“Those are important words for the Traveller community at this time, it is important that their identity be recognised at this moment . . . but they are issues that require State leadership, State resourcing and State investment. Clearly, when the pope emphasises the importance of education, this is crucial but it needs to be underpinned by investment and resourced by the State.”

Well aware

In his address, Pope Francis said that he was well aware of the problems confronted daily by nomadic peoples, arguing that the “precarious conditions” in which they lived “contrast with the right of every person to a dignified life, a dignified job and to education and healthcare”.

The time has come, he said, to eliminate “age old prejudices” and “reciprocal distrust”, attitudes which lead to “discrimination, racism and xenophobia”. Quoting the words of Paul VI 50 years ago, he added:

“Wherever you stop, you are considered outsiders and a problem . . . But here, no. Here you will find someone who wishes you well, who appreciates you, who holds you in high regard and who will help you . . . I know the difficulties confronted by your people. Visiting various Roman parishes on the outskirts of the city, I have come across your problems, your worries and I can see that they involve not just the church but above all local authorities.”

The pope also called on the nomadic peoples to do something to make their living conditions better, becoming involved in creating “more human peripheries” and combating the poor levels of educational achievement in their communities.

At the end of his audience in the Paul VI hall, the pope personally greeted many of those present including three young Irish travellers, Alison Nevin, Dan Connors and Nancy Collins. At the end of a vibrant event the pope then exited the hall by walking down the main central corridor.

At this point, the pope was so warmly received by the nomadic pilgrims that he was almost literally knocked off his feet as people grabbed at both his papal garments and his hands but then refused to let go of either. At the end of the audience, all those present were invited to remain behind to eat a packed lunch together.