Press Releases
Joint statement on behalf of the Archbishop of Armagh, the Archbishop of Dublin and the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill, and the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, the Very Revd Dr Robert McCarthy, are issuing the following statement...
"The ongoing protest by Afghan asylum seekers in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin is a cause of great concern to us.
We had hoped that Tuesday's meeting between representatives of the asylum seekers and the Department of Justice officials or yesterday's meeting with Mr Manuel Jordao, representing the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, would have resulted in the opening of dialogue that could have led to a resolution.
However, this was not so. As Christians, we are deeply moved by the humanitarian plight of this group, who have been on hunger strike since Sunday. We fully acknowledge the extensive formal process that exists to facilitate asylum seekers making application to have their status legally approved to remain in Ireland. We also see the deep hurt and sense of lost human dignity among this group of people.
We must appeal to all of the asylum seekers at this stage to end their hunger strike and protest before matters deteriorate further.
The Cathedral must remain closed while this situation remains unresolved. We ask for prayer for all involved in this difficult situation."
This statement was made to the asylum seekers by the Archbishop of Dublin on behalf of the group at lunchtime today.
For further information contact: Janet Maxwell (087) 9484412