Ruadhán Jones
Bishop Brendan Leahy Ireland is “not exempt from racism” and we must work to overcome all forms of hatred, said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick.
In his homily last weekend, Bishop Leahy described Trinity Sunday as being about the “celebration of diversity in unity and unity in diversity”.
“It’s a call to us all to appreciate, in a new way, how we are called to live the diversity of difference in love – and how only love transforms,” he said. “Hatred, racism, sectarianism of any type, destroys the fabric of any community.”
“The events of this past week have prompted us all to examine the personal judgements we make in our hearts and the social arrangements around us whose injustice we perhaps neglect to notice.”
Bishop Leahy added that we have “been far from exempt of racism here in Ireland and it is a menace that lurks in society today”.
“We must all do our part to watch out for it and overcome it, in whatever form it arises. There is always more we can all do and it starts with the Golden Rule – love your neighbour as yourself.”
Bishop Leahy noted the large gatherings in Irish cities on Saturday and their “references to direct provision centres as a form of racism”.
“It remains a hidden and troubling aspect of our society and one we must address. We are surely capable of a greater welcome in this country of ours.
Collaboration
“We will have to work on this together in a collaborative approach involving Government, local communities and listening to those in direct provision centres.”
Bishop Leahy also urged the public, as restrictions are being eased, not to think we have beaten the Coronavirus.
He said that resumption of Masses post June 29th can only happen with this in mind.
“From a Church perspective, we all welcome that we are able to resume from June 29 public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments. How we’ve missed our public celebrations, but we will need to prepare carefully, ensuring our places of worship reflect the good advice given by public health guidelines,” he added.