‘Show Solidarity With Refugees’: Archbishop Dermot Farrell

Jan 23, 2024 | 0 comments

Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin

“Our world is changing, and we find ourselves in a new era of migration. It challenges us in all the dimensions of our life together as a community. History will judge how we respond. God’s word brings home to us that we are all brothers and sisters. Our God-given gifts will help us put into practice what this means. The call is urgent.”

This was Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin in a homily centred on the story of the prophet Jonah, on Jan 21st, 2024.

Calling for people to ‘speak up for truth about migration and population change’. the archbishop called for an end to ‘the misinformation that is spread to stir up suspicion and hatred’.

His call came in the wake of examples of local Irish concern for the strain put on resources, reportedly in some cases being exploited to stir up opposition to the placing of refugees in local accommodation.  In some cases buildings reportedly earmarked to house refugees have suffered arson attacks.

“The heart of our faith is compassion. Remember the Samaritan! (Luke 10:25–37) We are called to solidarity with our least fortunate brothers and sisters, to use our creativity, energy and resources to make life better. But we are also called to solidarity with those who are asked to accept into their community those who need shelter. It is right that the practical consequences for communities be recognised and addressed. Parish communities have been to the fore in this regard, but it is also a matter for the public authorities: we are all called to play our part, so society as a whole must give practical support to host communities in proportion to the scale of the responsibility they are asked to assume.”

For the complete homily on the Dublin archdiocesan website, click here.

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ACI’s Campaign for Lumen Gentium 37

The Promise of Synodality

What we have experienced of synodality so far gives ACI real hope that a longstanding structural injustice in the church may at last be acknowledged and overcome.

As all Irish bishops well know, the 'co-responsibility' they urge lay people to share - as numbers and energies of clergy decline - has been sabotaged time and again by canonical rules that deny representational authority and continuity to parish pastoral councils.  ACI's 2019 call for the immediate honouring of Lumen Gentium Article 37 becomes more urgent by the day and is supported by the following documents - also presented to the ICBC in October 2019.

The Common Priesthood of the People of God and the Renewal of the Church
It was Catholic parents and victims of clerical abuse who taught Catholic Bishops to prioritise the safeguarding of children in the church

Jesus as Model for the Common Priesthood of the People of God
It was for challenging religious hypocrisy and injustice that Jesus was accused and crucified. He is therefore a model for the common priesthood of the laity and for the challenging of injustice - in society and within the church.

A Suggested Strategy for the Recovery of the Irish and Western Catholic Church
Recovery of the church depends upon acknowledgment of the indispensable role of the common priesthood of the lay people of God and the explicit abandonment by bishops and clergy of paternalism and clericalism - the expectation of deference from lay people rather than honesty and integrity.

For the full story of ACI's campaign for the honouring of Article 37 of Lumen Gentium, click here.

Prayer

"Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen."

Saint Pope John XXIII, 1962 - In preparation for Vatican Council II, 1962-65.

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