That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity. Pope Francis - November 2016
“Our volunteers are very reliable, which is essential when providing this necessary service. They help build friendly relationships between children and parents living in direct provision with members of the community. Our volunteers add to the good spirit and positive attitude to learning that is created in our homework club” – Jim Walsh, SVP.
The annual Global Rosary Relay for the sanctification of priests on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on 3 June 2016 circled the world in prayer once again, in this its seventh year, with more shrines than ever taking part in what is now recognised as a truly significant and powerful devotional initiative within the Catholic Church to recognise and bless the work of priests serving the faithful the world over.
A fundamental responsibility of every follower of Jesus is to transform the world with hope. Every vote in favour of a more just, peaceful and caring society is a concrete and personal expression of that hope.
It is reported that among the 20 feared dead, some were crushed by other people in the boat, while others drowned at sea. The victims include a child, women and some men – mostly from Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and reportedly from Bangladesh.
God’s forgiveness is sought for the sins and failings of the Church and its members, including priests and nuns who “succumbed to hatred and violence, betraying their own evangelical mission”.
The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures.
Christians had a duty to accept refugees with compassion and acceptance, he said, citing Pope Francis, who had urged Catholics to accept refugees in their countries.
“The world is watching as we abandon our commitments to American values. These actions ... lower our estimation in the eyes of the many peoples who want to know America as a defender of human rights and religious liberty”.
The executive order to turn away refugees and to close our nation to those, particularly Muslims, fleeing violence, oppression and persecution is contrary to both Catholic and American values – Cardinal Cupich of Chicago.
We need, in the words of Pope Francis, to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family – Bishop John McAreavey.
Pope Francis has focused on the theme of ‘Child Migrants, the Vulnerable and the Voiceless’ in his message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees which is marked this weekend on Sunday 15 January 2017.
Magi personify those whose hearts have not become anesthetised.
‘Healthy’ and ‘holy’ unease thinking of those suffering at Christmas challenges believers to open their hearts to people in need – the homeless and refugees, says Bishop of Kilmore.
Fr Shay Cullen describes Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award as “a statement that all life is precious ... and each has invaluable dignity and every one is worth saving”.
This time last year the EU said they would resettle 160,000 Syrians and to date have only resettled 4,000. "It all comes down to a lack of political will to tackle the issue," says Trócaire.
“Over the past few weeks and months we have witnessed an unprecedented polarisation of attitudes on immigration and refugees, culminating in a dramatic and repugnant rise in race hate crime since the referendum.”
“We are running for all refugees” - Paulo Lokoro who is a 24-year-old 800-metre runner.
Praises Irish missionaries, "who created strong bonds" between peoples of Ireland and Uganda.
The award was made to Sr Hilary, a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, for her contribution to health services in Sierra Leone over 42 years.
“Today our witness to the distress of refugees should be a call to action.”
Refugees are people like everyone else, who have been deprived by war of their homes, their jobs, their parents and their friends, Pope Francis stresses.
In a statement, a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said, "Our society has lost a dedicated public servant.”
86-year-old Presentation Sister pens first novel retelling the story of the remarkable Irishwoman whose legacy is still making itself felt in 23 countries around the world.
“To keep letting people drown in the Mediterranean Sea is a scandal and immoral” - Tom Smolich SJ, director, JRS International.
Border controls masquerading as migration policy are “a pathetic response to a moral challenge”.
Welcoming a refugee can cost up to €12,000 initially but over time they begin to work and pay tax and contribute to the economy: Philippe Legrain.
President of the International Catholic Migration Commission, Peter Sutherland, will be the keynote speaker.
“The recent agreement between Brussels and Ankara is an extremely unjust one. This is not about protection, it’s about deterrence.”
Some European politicians have said ‘if we save lives we act as an attraction for more people to try to come’ - that is outrageous immorality: Peter Sutherland.
