Celebration of Solidarity and Support – 270 Refugees and Asylum Seekers Welcomed in St Patrick’s on World Refugee Day

Almost 280 people who live in Direct Provision attended a special dinner in St Patrick’s Cathedral to mark World Refugee Day.

World Refugee Day was marked around the globe yesterday (Wednesday June 20). In Dublin there was an open air prayer service and later in the evening 270 people who live in Direct Provision were given an Irish welcome and an almost unique opportunity to dine in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Guests in the cathedral came from 32 different countries and are seeking refuge or asylum in Ireland for many reasons. The food was produced and served by the cathedral’s corporate partners, volunteers and staff.

The cathedral’s Dean William Morton was joined by Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson and Judge Bryan McMahon who led the working group which reported to Government on Direct Provision and the asylum process. Also present was Canon Horace McKinley who was involved in establishing Dublin & Glendalough’s refugee accommodation.

Addressing the guests, Mrs Robinson said it was a pleasure to share a meal with so many courageous men, women and children who had risked so much to seek a safe and secure life for themselves and their families.

She spoke of the terrible reality of the Irish famine and evoked the images of An Gorta Mór – the workhouses and the coffin ships. “We must look at those images anew and translate them into the images of the present day suffering of people coming to Ireland. How willing are we to listen to the voices of those living in Direct Provision?” she asked.

Mrs Robinson related the story of ‘Angel’ who came to Ireland in 2016 in the hope of finding a safe home. However, she found her life limited by such unfair conditions which severely restricted her access to work. She described the isolation and uncertainty and the desire to work and be responsible members of society. “Let us remember that we still have a lot of work to do in Ireland to make it the home it should be,” she concluded.

Dean Morton said that he was keen to ensure that the cathedral was a place of welcome, inclusiveness, friendship and acceptance, regardless of race, gender, age, orientation or any other factor. “This is really an evening to celebrate solidarity in suffering and supporting those who are struggling to be the best version of themselves and to create a more harmonious and wholesome society,” he commented.

The Interfaith Prayer Service took place earlier in the evening at the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay. During it, true stories of real refugees were read by leaders and representatives of Dublin’s faith communities. The service was organised by Dublin City Interfaith Forum (DCIF) and those present remembered and prayed for migrants and acknowledged the journeys taken by millions of people who are forced to leave their homes in search of a better and safer life.

DCIF’s Colm Reilly said no one chose to leave their own home and risk everything unless they had to. He added that it was fake news to say that migrants could not bring value to their new home countries. He said the challenge to society was not only how we treat each other but how we treat those who are new to our shores.

DCIF chairperson, Hilary Abrahamson, said that so many Irish people, including herself, came from migrant families. She hoped that Ireland would continue to be a place of welcome for migrants and refugees.