Irish Catholic bishops urge people to stand up against racism

The riots in Dublin highlight a need to redouble efforts towards "a responsible management of the current situation", according to the Irish Catholic Bishops.

At their Winter Conference in St Patrick's College in Maynooth, Co Kildare they said the unrest necessitated "fulsome consultation" on the planning and delivery of adequate accommodation and associated healthcare, educational and social services for the entire community.

This, they said, would ensure issues concerning multiple levels of deprivation in different parts of the country are tackled, so that no one can perceive themselves as disadvantaged.

They urged people of faith, and all people of goodwill to stand up against all forms of racism, violence division, hatred, misinformation and fear.

"We commend parishes and small faith communities across the country where such encounter is evident and where immigrants are making a positive and vibrant contribution to the life of the parish and in the process opening new cultural experiences for Irish Catholics," they said.

Much of the three-day conference was spent discussing the Universal Synod.

Two Bishop nominees, Bishop Brendan Leahy and Bishop Alan McGuckian, attended the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in Rome during the month of October.

An interim committee for the Irish Synodal Pathway was formed by the Bishops' Conference to implement some of the immediate proposals from the National Steering Committee’s report.

In the longer term, the interim committee will also assist the Bishops’ Conference to establish a national team for the remainder of the Synodal Pathway of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

That team will assist "in a process of discernment for the first theme or themes" of a National Synodal Assembly.

There were prayers for the fifteen new seminarians who had recently started their studies for the priesthood.

The Bishops reflected on this Year for Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood which is themed: 'Take the Risk for Christ’, launched in April.

Once again, they encouraged families and parishes to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

With the beginning of Advent, they urged those who can, to respond generously to the Christmas appeals of various charities that bring hope to the lives of families that are bearing the brunt of the cost of living and energy crises.