A contemplative Fr Joe McVeigh Picture Ronan McGrade
ENNISKILLEN priest Fr Joe McVeigh has called on local churches and Catholic parishioners to take in a refugee family fleeing from war-torn regions.
The outspoken priest and author also backed the bishop of Down and Connor calls to political leaders and Christians to provide a “generous reception” to refugees.
Speaking about the crisis, Fr McVeigh said that locals should “make places and rooms available” to families seeking help from countries like Syria.
Following the Pope’s calls to all Catholics to shelter refugees, he said: “Certainly we would be open to the same kind of action. It’s a crisis that the church must respond to as the Pope has suggested, we should makes places and rooms available, we should also make donations which people are doing.
“In many ways people are way ahead of some in regards to the politicians due to the popular concern. The governments and bishops are responding now to try to deal with the refugees to provide the necessary clothes, food and shelter.
“On a more long term basis to provide home facilities where they are available and I would be hoping that all across our diocese and across
Fermanagh and Ireland would do the same. One bishop has already called on all of his priests to make known to authorities what is available so I think our diocese should follow the same course of action and make known what they have available in terms of rooms or space.”
Despite his recent calls, he confirmed that no one from his parish has yet offered any space in their homes.
“I would think they are people out there who would be prepared to. I know people are very concerned about it and know they would respond and are already in terms of clothes and food. I would like to see some organised response, not just us but by all the churches.
“The politicians are the ones with the power and influence and the response from the British government has been very disappointing, the
Prime Minister so far has been very disappointing compared to those in Germany and the Irish government has been quite weak on it too.
They are beginning to respond due to public pressure. They initially said they would take 600 but now they are saying 5,000 because people were alarmed that they couldn’t make a better offer.
“It’s the war situation in Syria and other regions that’s causing these problems and ultimately that will have to be dealt with by world political leaders who have been very reluctant to work to find a solution.
Is it better to keep refugees closer to home: “It’s wherever they arrive – quite a number of them in refugee camps like in Calais, they can’t be left there forever. They should be invited to Ireland and Britain from the refugee camps. We have to recognise the German leader who has responded very bravely.
A statement from the Diocesan Office commented: “The diocese of Clogher, on 3 September last week, launched the Clogher Diocesan Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Group in Enniskillen.
“Members are most anxious to assist in any way they can in alleviating the distress of refugees and immigrants and will be exploring ways of doing so in co-operation with voluntary groups and the civil authorities.”
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