Catholic bishops call on UK to prioritise rights of Ukrainian refugees

Ireland's Catholic bishops have called on the UK government "to prioritise the rights and dignity of all Ukrainians who seek refuge" there, as they welcomed "the waiving of visa requirements for Ukrainians seeking refuge in Ireland and in other EU countries".

They encouraged everyone to welcome the refugees “in a sensitive and compassionate manner” and asked “all parish communities to give serious consideration to ways in which refugees can be accommodated and integrated while with us”.

It was the case that “as tens of thousands of refugees arrive in Ireland in the near future, there is no doubt that the Gospel is calling on us to open our hearts and our home”, they said.

The bishops have contacted the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for advice on “how dioceses and parishes may best pledge support for the Government’s plan to accommodate refugees fleeing Ukraine”.

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At the conclusion of their spring meeting in Maynooth on Wednesday evening, the bishops announced that a special collection will be taken up at all Masses in Ireland for the people of Ukraine on the weekend of Sunday, March 27th.

To mark St Patrick’s Day next week, they asked everyone to “reach out to Ukrainian people living in Ireland and around the world, sending greetings of prayer and solidarity to them in this time of anguish”.

At the sign of peace at Masses on St Patrick’s Day, and for the remainder of Lent, they have asked priests to call for peace in the world and especially in Ukraine and, after a moment of silence, that they invite everyone “to offer a gesture or greeting of peace (without the handshake), holding in prayer all who are caught up in this conflict”.

They appealed “to all Christians, including Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church, to join in daily spiritual and practical efforts in support of a ceasefire, humanitarian outreach and the immediate laying down of weapons”.

They said that “at this time of trial, we want to stand in prayerful and practical solidarity with the Ukrainian community here in Ireland and also to acknowledge the many Russians in our midst who bear no responsibility for this tragic situation”.

What was being witnessed “during these days impels us again to appeal for diplomacy and dialogue – to work for a genuine human fraternity – as the only way to resolve differences and conflicts”, they said.

Welcoming the lifting of pandemic restrictions, they said that from Easter Sunday, April 17th, attendance at Sunday Mass “will once again be deemed an essential expression of faith for all in our Church in Ireland. As always, those whose health is vulnerable or who are unwell will not be under any obligation to attend Mass, and should keep themselves safe and pray at home until they are better.”

With civil pandemic commemorations planned in Ireland for the weekend of the March 18th-20th, and a National Day of Remembrance and Reflection on Sunday, March 20th, they invited “all in our parish communities to unite in spirit and in prayerful reflection”.

They were encouraged to hear the Synodal pathway was gaining momentum in parishes across the island and announced that after Easter, “on the basis of the synodal conversations, each diocese will be preparing a 10-page synthesis”.

“A national synodal event” will be held on June 18th next “to discern the themes that are to be forwarded from Ireland to the Universal Synodal pathway”, they said.

The bishops also welcomed Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan as new chair of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.