The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, yesterday endorsed the process of forging links among the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland and three African Christian churches in Ennis, Co Clare.
Currently there are more than 600 asylum-seekers and refugees in Ennis. The majority are of African origin. The numbers have allowed three African churches to become active, with services every Sunday at three centres in Ennis, provided by the local community.
Bishop Walsh said yesterday: "In relation to the whole question of asylum-seekers, I am delighted to see what is happening and the co-operation that is going on.
"It is part of a process that allows us to show respect for other people's beliefs."
Last Sunday, led by its Pastor, the Rev Alaba Williams, the Christ Faith Tabernacle Church met in the town's Clarecare Centre. At the same time, services took place at Stonecourt Community Centre, where the Redeemed Christian Church gathered. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church met at Ennis's Project School.
At the largest of these, the Christ Faith Tabernacle, more than 40 people - mainly Nigerians and most of them asylum-seekers - attended last Sunday's service, which continued for over two hours.
At the start of the service, a Nigerian woman from the congregation took the microphone and started to sing a hymn. She was accompanied by the pastor, on keyboard, who was joined by drummer Mr Segun Faluyi and two backing singers.
After a short time, all members of the congregation were off their seats, singing, many with their arms in the air.
One of the church leaders, Dr Taiwo Matthew, said: "Meeting on Sundays and Fridays, I think it is very important and very dear to our hearts, the means of sustenance is God."
Already, a "Harvest Festival", or inter-denominational ceremony with the three African churches and Ennis's other churches, has been held at the town's Church of Ireland church, St Columba's.
There are plans for monthly prayer and discussion groups between the pastors of the African churches and local clergy.
According to Canon Bob Hanna of St Columba's, more than 300 people packed into the church for the ceremony.
He described the day as a very special experience. Many of the people who attended were touched by the movement, enthusiasm and spirituality of the members of the three African churches.
He said: "The occasion arose out of a common desire between the Christian churches in Ennis to make the Africans feel at home and allow room to express themselves."
Dr Matthew said: "The Harvest Festival was a beautiful day with the Irish and the Africans. I was happy with the comments people were making after the service, that it had added life into their own lives."
Recently, a local organisation, Solas, has been established by locals to offer support to the local asylum-seeker population and forge links among the various churches.
According to Mr Michael Monks, a member of Solas, the energy and active role the three African churches are now displaying "are challenging us culturally and spiritually".
He forecast that their "charismatic outlook will certainly attract local people".
Dr Matthew said: "We are looking to do more and more of services such as the Harvest Festival," adding, "we are all Christians and belong to the same family."