A Question of Faith, Fr Liam Power’s Fortnightly Column
THE story of the blockade of Magowna House in Inch, Co. Clare, a former hotel designated to house refugees, was widely reported in national and local media. Local residents reportedly used tractors to blockade the three roads accessing the former hotel. Protesters boarded a bus transporting the International Protection applicants demanding proof of ID, conducting a head count and recording men on video. The purpose: to enable protesters to keep track of the number of refugees who were entering the residence.
Such actions, which are intimidatory and aggressive, cannot be classified as lawful protest and were rightly condemned. I was proud of our local Sinn Fein TD, David Cullinane, who forthrightly condemned the blockade and the intimidatory tactics He reminded us that we have a moral and a legal responsibility to shelter those seeking international protection. Without accommodation they will be forced to sleep in tents or on the side of the road, thus exposing them to great danger. This was shockingly revealed when far-right elements burned down make-shift campsites in Dublin recently.
‘Such actions, which are intimidatory and aggressive, cannot be classified as lawful protest and were rightly condemned’
There may not have been adequate engagement between the Government and Inch residents before the traumatised refugees ended up there. But as Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats, pointed out in a recent interview on RTE Drivetime programme, there is a moral responsibility to accommodate displaced persons in a crisis situation. It is not always possible for Government to have everything in place regarding resources, services, transport and infrastructure. Rather than blockading, there must be a more Christian way for communities to respond to the needs of the immigrant.
Pope Francis challenges us to see refugees as our sisters and brothers, members of the one human family. Our starting point should not be about defending borders but rather defending the dignity of the human person. He reminds us that migrants and refugees are not a problem to be solved or a burden to be shared equitably among countries, but sisters and brothers to be welcomed, respected, and loved. Anyone who is forced to move to preserve their lives or human dignity has a moral claim on the hospitality of others. He goes on to explain that God’s plan gives priority to those living on the existential peripheries, including migrants and refugees, and that the Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants.
When refugees are welcome in that true Christian spirit, it is amazing what can happen. I spoke to Pat Fitzgerald, chairman of the committee in Modeligo Parish set up to respond to the plight of Ukrainian refugees. The parish community there got together to refurbish the parochial house which lay idle for years. With the support of Bishop Cullinan, the house was repainted and refurnished. Two small families were accommodated there. Pat’s sister Catherine, also a member of the committee, told me that the project has brought many blessings to the community in Modeligo. The Ukrainian families were warmly welcomed, and every effort was made to integrate them into the community. Community members take turns to bring one of the older children to secondary school in Lismore.
But the community itself has benefitted. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted negatively on the community. One of the fruits of the integration project was the regeneration of community spirit, overcoming the fragmentation after the pandemic. A new walking group has been established and a community WhatsApp group set up. The effort to reach out to the displaced persons has borne much fruit and enriched the life of the community.
I believe that the local community in Lismore would echo the sentiments of villagers in Modeligo. Residents were initially apprehensive when the government announced plans to accommodate 117 asylum seekers in Lismore House Hotel. The hotel was closed in 2016 but there were plans to reopen it to provide accommodation for tourists. Redesignating the hotel as a centre for refugees would mean loss of revenue from tourism. Due to inadequate services and infrastructure in Lismore, residents feared the arrival of so many refugees would place an intolerable burden on the community.
But again, a local community group was formed and set out to welcome the new arrivals. They met with the refugees to establish their needs and to ascertain how the community could assist them in settling into their new home. They were particularly solicitous of the needs of the children in the hotel and organised collections of toys and clothes for them, thus easing the burden of the parents who were deeply traumatised after their hazardous journey to Ireland. I spoke with the parish priest in Lismore, Fr Michael Cullinan, and he told me that the refugees are potentially bringing new life to the Sunday Eucharist. Most of the refugees are evangelical Catholics and are used to lively liturgies in their own country.
It is imperative that the Minister for Protection, Roderic O’Gorman, engage with local communities before refugees move in. But communities like those in Inch must also respond to the needs of the displaced person. Communities should not be using lack of services as an excuse to blockade access to designated accommodation centres. Community members might organise and cooperate with the Local Christian communities in particular must respond to the gospel imperative of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you made me welcome.”Authority to improve services. Christian communities in particular must respond to the gospel imperative of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you made me welcome.”