Press Releases
Archbishop John Neill's New Year Message
The beginning of the New Year gives everybody an opportunity for a fresh start, and coming within the Christmas season, it reminds us that this is what God intended in sending Jesus into this world. It is the sense of a fresh start that allows us to enter 2006 with hope.
In Ireland over the last few years, hundreds of thousands have made their home on this island often coming from situations of danger and deprivation. Many of these people here for several years, who certainly now see this as their home, face into the new year with a deep sense of fear in relation to possible deportation. Among these are a small number of unaccompanied minors, most with little or nothing to which to return. Our thoughts go out to these teenagers who may have been here for three or four years assimilating to Irish society, gaining from our educational system, and now on reaching eighteen facing into yet another upheaval, being forced to return to something from which they once fled.
It is hoped that with the introduction of a new Immigration and Residence Bill in 2006 that serious consideration will be given not only to these young people who came to us from overseas, but also to the many adults and families that have been here for five years or more and should now be allowed to stay. The Irish Citizen Child Scheme in 2005 was a step in the right direction for families living in limbo, and one would hope for similar in 2006 for all those already here for a substantial period of time.
An aspect that causes much loss of hope that is a concern not only for our legislature, but for society at every level, is the manner in which those from other countries are treated when they are allowed to work. Exploitation and racial discrimination can flourish unless people are much more aware of its presence in the workplace. The fact that work permits are held by employers rather than by workers leaves another door open for the exploitation of those from overseas.
My prayer for 2006 for our country is that we will address with great urgency these issues among others which lead to despair and hopelessness. Somehow the joy and hospitality celebrated at Christmas must be translated into practical action in 2006.