11.04.2018
Supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees – Updated Resource Now Available
The Church of Ireland Refugee Working Groups have updated their resource on supporting asylum seekers and refugees, which highlights opportunities to become more involved in this area of ministry and service. This is now available here.
The resource covers the Church’s current and past responses to the refugee crisis; sources of further support for asylum seekers and refugees; definitions, statistics and processes regarding asylum and refugee resettlement; and examples of work undertaken by associated missionary societies and ecumenical networks.
The resource is full of ideas which have been put into action in parishes and organisations throughout the Church of Ireland and which may provide inspiration to others who are seeking to respond to the refugee crisis.
Projects featured in these dioceses include the Dublin & Glendalough Refugee Accommodation Appeal which has been supported by many parishes with the fund total now exceeding €115,000.
Also featured is Wicklow Parish’s involvement in the Wicklow Syria Appeal which is working with Nasc Ireland to bring a Syrian family to live in the town under the Family Reunification Programme. The Welcome Table at St Patrick’s Church, Dalkey, gives people living in Direct Provision the opportunity to access a kitchen where they can cook a meal for themselves.
The ‘A Place to Call Home’ concert in Christ Church Cathedral and its designation as a Cathedral of Sanctuary, alongside Dublin City University’s designation as a University of Sanctuary are also mentioned.