During the Autumn General Meeting of the Bishops’ Conference, bishops approved a pastoral letter on the significant theme of welcoming the immigrant. 'A Hundred Thousand Welcomes?' explores what hospitality for migrant people means in contemporary Ireland.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to respond to the key question of immigration across our island, and the world. This fundamental question asks, "Who is my neighbour?" – and to answer this we are informed by the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In the light of the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, our bishops offer this reflection on what hospitality for migrant people means in contemporary Ireland.
Mindful that migration has been a central part of our history, the Pastoral Letter provides a space to us as 'migrant pilgrim people' to contemplate the causes of migration, the gifts that migrants bring to our Church and our country, the economic and social issues we all face in Ireland, and the importance of encounter in building a true sense of belonging in every parish and community.
The full text of the Pastoral Letter is available here or click on the title above.