FIFTEEN IRISH Christian churches have affirmed a joint approach on migration, multiculturalism and diversity throughout the country.
The Irish Inter-Church Meeting, representing Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches, issued the affirmation yesterday in Belfast.
Adrian Cristea of the Inter-Church Parish-Integration Project, which drafted the document, said: “The face of Ireland, North and South, has changed very rapidly in recent years with the arrival of migrants from a large number of countries.
“As a result, the promotion of integration and the recognition of the richness that comes with diversity have become important issues for Irish society and Irish Churches.”
The affirmation sets out 10 specific commitments designed to promote and sustain integration and multiculturalism. These include commitments to: “recognise and appreciate cultural and ethnic diversity as gifts of God”; “foster faith communities where the rights of each person are respected“; “explore and adopt” ways of worship and systems of administration that respond to the diversity of the church membership; challenge racism and xenophobia; and defend the rights of migrants and advocate for the provision of appropriate services to meet their needs.
Welcoming the publication, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said: “Christian churches face the challenging but exciting task of welcoming and including new members who have a different language, different cultural backgrounds, and different experiences and expectations of church membership.
“In facilitating participation in church and local community life, churches play a vital role in supporting and promoting the integration of ethnic minorities.”
Presbyterian Moderator Norman Hamilton said: “It is timely to have this new document that lays the foundations to create vibrant Christian communities that are enriched from the sharing and interweaving of the various traditions and cultures that are now joining together.”