Sir, - Rev Martin Clarke (Jan 1st/2nd) rightly draws attention to some examples of the bishops' concern for refugees. I hope my letter of December 11th did not suggest the churches were inactive in this regard. I did refer to the presence of progressive church elements at the rally in question and I am aware of their involvement in the Irish Refugee Council, where I have met them. My appeal was for a stronger public stance by the bishops in person, as opposed to via representative bodies and social policy-speak.
Oral presentations by these bodies to All-Party Oireachtas Committees, participation in consultation between the Department of Justice and NGOs and submissions to the UN all constitute very important work. Very little of this work, however, has any impact on the public's perception of refugees. This perception has been shaped by irresponsible press coverage and a reactionary Government that has gone unchecked by the opposition.
As I write, for instance, the Irish Independent is disseminating the results of a poll on refugees that presented the public with the stark choice between an open-door policy and keeping numbers to an absolute minimum - the typical floodgates scenario used to generate alarmism. Surely the issue is whether we should have a reasonable refugee/immigration policy we can be proud of, or a mean-minded one that marks us down in history as hypocrites. Alternatively, we might ask people if they support a policy that keeps asylum seekers in a limbo for years, forbidden from working, studying or even driving, because that's the policy we have.
Fr Clarke may wonder why I singled out the Catholic Hierarchy for criticism. It should be understood as an implied compliment, even though I am not a follower myself. In his book The Culture of Contentment, John Kenneth Galbraith expounded on how the political establishment will cater only for those in society who have power; marginalised groups are left to the vagaries of convenience. This is the case in the newly affluent Ireland, where refugees and illegals figure among the most powerless of groups. Standing up for them is not perceived as a vote-winner by any main political party.
The churches, then, are probably the only influential organisations that asylum seekers can turn to, and they must be aware of the weight of this responsibility. Some small support groups make a brave but limited effort, but even the Irish Refugee Council has a policy of not criticising the Department of Justice.
In his Christmas address to the congregation in the Pro-Cathedral, Bishop O Ceallaigh used emotional and spiritual language to make a case for asylum seekers and received a standing ovation. That is the kind of directness that is called for and that belies the ethical vacuity of the Irish Independent poll. I hope this directness continues into the New Year and does not shirk from criticising the Government and media when that is necessary. - Yours, etc., Gordon MacKenzie,
Oxmantown Road, Dublin 7.