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Migration and ethnic diversity hub
Contents
1. Suggestions for responding during times of tension
2. Related statements from Church of Ireland leaders
3. Our Church welcomes refugees (video)
4. From Every Nation? (handbook & webinar)
5. Diversity in decision–making (article & webinar)
6. Racial Justice Sunday (article & webinar)
7. Hope away from home (video)
8. But the Lord looks on the heart (research reports)
9. Room at the Inn (leaflet)
10. City of Sanctuary UK & Places of Sanctuary Ireland
11. How can one person make a difference?
Responding during times of tension
The Irish Council of Churches has gathered the following guidance for clergy and church members to encourage practical acts of compassion and concern during times of tension in your community, and also after these situations arise:
– If you have friendships with people who are not originally from Ireland, call or text them and check in with them to see how they are doing.
– Ask people who indicate they are struggling, or just people who are your friends, if they would like to talk, and offer to take them out for a coffee.
– Don’t let racist comments or opinions go unchecked. Learn and present facts.
– Have the courage to communicate that as a Christian you are dismayed by what is happening and standing alongside those being targeted.
– Lament the current situation in your prayers.
A range of suggested longer term actions is available here.
Please click here to learn about what official statistics tell us about migration and ethnic diversity in Ireland, north and south, today.
Related statements from Church of Ireland Leaders
The following statements have been made by leaders in Church of Ireland in recent times of tension and distress:
Statement by Archbishop of Dublin following Parnell Square incident (November 2023)
Statement by Bishop of Connor and Bishop of Down and Dromore on anti–immigration protests in Belfast (August 2024)
Statement by Bishop of Connor and Rector of Ballymena on rioting in Ballymena (June 2025)
Statement by Archbishop of Armagh on unrest in Northern Ireland (June 2025)
Statement by Archbishop of Armagh on Moygashel bonfire effigy (July 2025)
Statement by Archbishop of Dublin expressing solidarity with members of the Indian community (August 2025)
Statement by Archbishop of Armagh following attack on the Jewish community in Sydney at Hannukah (December 2025)
Archbishop of Dublin’s welcome for the announcement of a report on anti–Semitic incidents (December 2025)
Archbishop of Dublin condemns anti–Semitic graffiti (January 2026)
Our Church welcomes refugees
A video with Church of Ireland members sharing stories about how they welcome and integrate refugees. This seeks to inspire local churches and parishioners to support refugees at any time throughout the year.
From Every Nation?
The Irish Council of Churches has designed a handbook to help members of local churches to reflect on diversity, the potential for discrimination, and the role of Christians in building a unifying world through our churches. Please click on the front page below to read and download a copy.
This is discussed more fully in the following webinar from the Primate’s Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice.
Diversity in decision–making
Easter Vestries are important opportunities for Church of Ireland members to consider the impact of their choices in selecting members to represent the Church in all of its decision–making bodies. This article (and the webinar below) from the Primate’s Reference Group discuss the benefits of broadening representation in leadership.
Racial Justice Sunday
Listen to this podcast to hear about the origins of Racial Justice Sunday and perspectives on how it aligns with the Church’s mission and values, what could happen in a local church celebrating racial justice, and how these celebrations can ‘lift our eyes’ and deepen our faith.
The first national Church of Ireland Racial Justice Sunday Service took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, in February 2025. General Synod approved a resolution in 2025 asking that each diocese should seek to hold one Racial Justice Sunday service in a format and venue of their choosing on the second Sunday of February each year.
Hope away from home
World Refugee Day takes place every year on 20th June. In this interview, Archbishop John McDowell talks about a recent theme – ‘Hope away from home’ – and how our communities can be welcoming to people seeking a new home.
But the Lord looks on the heart
The United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough has published two reports – But the Lord looks on the heart – about cultural and ethnic diversity in its parishes, to inform and encourage parishioners who have made their home in the city and its surrounding area. Both reports have been produced by the Revd Canon Professor Anne Lodge are available to read and download from on the diocesan website – with a link provided by clicking on the front covers provided below.
Room at the Inn – A Welcome for the Stranger
A leaflet to prompt Christians to consider their role in welcoming those who have arrived on this island. This has been produced by Belonging Without Boundaries, an ecumenical group supported by our Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue. Please click on the front cover below to read and download this.
City of Sanctuary UK and Places of Sanctuary Ireland
City of Sanctuary UK and Places of Sanctuary Ireland are affiliated organisations seeking to create a network of groups in towns, cities and local communities which share the objectives of promoting a culture of welcome, and inclusiveness right across every sphere and sector of society, so that wherever people seeking sanctuary go they will feel safe, find people who welcome them and understand why they are here, and have opportunities to be included in all activities.
The concepts of sanctuary and hospitality are prominent in many different religions and expressions of faith. When a faith community receives the Sanctuary designation, it is an affirmation that the community is one in which hospitality and sanctuary are woven into their life and explicitly stated, so that those looking for a welcome will know that they will find one there. Faith communities are encouraged to go on a journey of learning, taking action, and making their commitment public through participation in the Sanctuary.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have published the discussion resource Sanctuary: The Hospitality of Host, Guest and Stranger which is freely available to download here.
Places of Sanctuary Ireland: https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/sanctuary-in-faith
City of Sanctuary UK: https://faith.cityofsanctuary.org/places-of-worship-sanctuary-award
How can one person make a difference?
In October 2013, Francesco Tuccio, the carpenter on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, met with some Eritrean Christians who were among the survivors of a shipwreck near his island. The best thing that he could do for them in the circumstances, he concluded, was to fashion small crosses from the wreckage of the boat as a reflection on their rescue and hope for the future.
One of these crosses was shared in 2016 at the Anglican Centre in Rome with Archbishop Michael Jackson in recognition of the commitment of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough to working with the Irish Refugee Council for the well–being of refugees arriving in the Dublin area.
Archbishop Jackson then presented it to the Revd Olive Donohoe, then Rector of St Michael’s Church, Athy. Ms Donohoe was involved in the Diocesan Appeal for Refugee Housing and provided pastoral support for residents of the direct provision centre in Athy. It is a symbol of hope in the future built on the saving work of Jesus Christ today and tomorrow as yesterday.
With thanks to all who have produced and contributed to the production of the resources provided
Research by Church of Ireland Press Office for Primate’s Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice