Saint Patrick’s day

“Violence begets violence”, the spiral of hatred that has returned in the streets on Northern and Southern Ireland has to stop. This is the core of the messages for Saint Patrick’s Day from Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and of the archbishop of Dublin Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, The feast is celebrated on March 17 by Irishmen across the world. Msgr. Séamus Hegarty, bishop of Derry and President of Ireland’s Bishops’ Conference for Migrants (LECE) focused on the issue of migration. No to violence. “This St Patrick’s Day I am very much aware that violence has returned to the streets of Northern Ireland. If the awful and tragic events of last week teach us anything, it is that all of us must work unceasingly for peace here on our island. I would urge all citizens to redouble efforts to build a peaceful society. Violence is not the answer. The perpetrators of violence are seeking to destroy the peace we are building. I would ask that all people support the politicians who are working so hard to move away from the dark days of our past”, Cardinal Sean Brady wrote in the message. The leaders of the Catholic Church in Northern Ireland called upon the faithful to devote the prayers for the Saint Patrick’s Day to peace in the Country, following the tragic events of last week that cost the lives of two young soldiers and a policeman. “I fully endorse this request”, wrote the archbishop of Dublin, Msgr. Diarmuid Martin in the message, voicing his concern over the episodes of gangland violence that are taking place within the city’s district. “Violence begets violence”, the archbishop wrote. “This absurd violence and disregard for human life has been going on for too long. It has to stop”. “We need to send an urgent and unambiguous message that as one community, North and South, without distinction of belief or of political allegiance, we are united against anyone who takes the path of violence”, the Archbishop remarked. “Ireland faced and came through even harder times in the past through the strength of community and solidarity. We need these values today. They cannot be imposed from above. They must be constructed by each of us, each day, in each new situation”.Highlighting the needs of Irish emigrants. “I urge the Irish Diaspora to continue to work together in the spirit of charity and compassion to ensure the welfare of all Irish emigrants”, exhorted Bishop Séamus Hegarty, Bishop Séamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry and Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Emigrants (IECE) in his message for Saint Patrick’s Day. “Our National Apostle – the bishop declared – first encountered Ireland as a migrant. Thus, it is fitting that on the Feast of our National Patron, we again seek to highlight the needs of the many Irish emigrants spread throughout the world” since, “as a consequence of the current downturn in the economy”, increasing numbers are again leaving our shores in the hope of making a new life for themselves and their families”. “Today – the prelate wrote – we are especially mindful of the elderly Irish in Britain and our undocumented in the United States”. IECE continues to highlight the longstanding problems facing generations of Irish emigrants”. The outreach services, “provided to emigrants, pioneered by priests, religious and supportive lay people over many years, continue to expand and are truly in keeping with Gospel values”, he added.The more vulnerable ones. Bishop Hegarty deems “also important on this day that we, as a society, recognise the difficulties faced by those who have come to this country seeking to make Ireland their home”. “I hope that they will receive the same treatment that we would wish for our own emigrants”. Lastly, it’s important to remember “an especially vulnerable group of emigrants – Irish people imprisoned overseas”. The Bishops’ Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO), under the auspices of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants, provide support to over 420 Irish people imprisoned throughout the world. The Bishop makes known that thirty-four new cases were received by ICPO in the period November 2008 to January 2009. Referring to the 2007 Report on Irish Prisoners Abroad by Mr. Chris Flood, Msgr. Hegarty concluded: “While considerable progress has been made, it is imperative that the remaining recommendations contained within the Report are urgently implemented”. To this regard the Bishop assured that ICPO will continue working in conjunction with the Foreign Ministry. IECE is the response of the Episcopal Conference to the needs of Irish emigrants prior to and following departure, in conjunction with the host church responds to the needs of the Irish as an immigrant community.