08.04.2016
Irish Council of Churches’ Affirmations on Migration, Diversity and Interculturalism
Members of the Irish Council of Churches have adopted a resolution affirming their commitment to a number of issues relating to migration, diversity and interculturalism. The 93rd Annual General Meeting of the Irish Council of Churches (ICC) was held in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, yesterday (Thursday April 7).
The resolution was brought by the Non–Subscribing Presbyterian Church. Proposing the resolution Chris Wilson explained that many churches had done fantastic work in highlighting the refugee crisis and the resolution aimed to support and encourage the work of the ICC in modeling Kingdom values.
The following resolution was adopted by all present:
Irish Churches’ Affirmations on Migration, Diversity and Interculturalism
We affirm our commitment as Christian Churches:
1. To recognise and appreciate cultural and ethnic diversity as gifts of God, and to ensure that these gifts are reflected in the life of the Church.
2. To foster faith communities where the rights of each person are respected and where scope is provided for each person’s potential to be realised.
3. To work towards inclusive communities, paying particular attention to addressing racism and xenophobia in attitudes, actions, practices and policies.
4. To explore and adopt ways of worship, systems of administration and other structures so that they fully respond to and reflect the Church membership.
5. To defend the rights of migrants in accordance with international and national laws and standards on migration.
6. To advocate for the rights of all migrants, and in particular their right to family life.
7. To support and assist migrants in appropriate, practical ways in their efforts to integrate in Church and society.
8. To establish networks with migrant–led Churches and chaplaincies by fostering co–operation and collaboration with them in providing pastoral care and support to migrants.
9. To seek the development of appropriate services for migrants and to draw attention to the need for public services generally to be responsive to the circumstances of migrants.
10. To work together as Churches and to network with people of other faiths and none to promote a greater understanding between denominations and other faiths and none, ensuring the growth of a society based on respect, dignity and equal rights for all its members.