Irish bishops focus on migrants for St Patrick’s Day

(Vatican Radio) The bishops of Ireland are calling for prayers for migrants on the upcoming feast of St Patrick, 17 March. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick said St Patrick recalls “the importance of looking after migrants … (and) those who have emigrated”.
Bishop Leahy said the Irish bishops’ Council for Migrants, in their outreach and ministry among migrants both at home and abroad, has issued a practical information pack, which seeks to prepare migrants for the cultural changes they can expect.

“Because things that might seem very obvious aren’t always so obvious to many people,” he explained. “And we’ve seen this from the requests we’re getting in our own pastoral outreach to some of these countries that many young people are finding themselves in need to ask for help in these very practical issues, and this pack attempts to reach that need.”

He shared how some young Irish migrants abroad struggle with many issues, both practical and psychological. “And the more we can do to accompany them in their migration the better it is for them and therefore for those of us here in Ireland, who remember them,” he said.

The official message, issued by the Irish bishops, notes that St Patrick’s Day this year will be celebrated “in the midst of an ongoing economic recession, which has resulted in domestic heartbreak throughout Ireland for many individuals and families due to the pressure of unemployment and emigration.

“As the plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures,” it continues, “we encourage all the faithful to pray for migrants at home and abroad as many face challenges arising from displacement and poverty.”

The bishops also urge Catholics to mark the feast day with Mass.

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