Introduction
Last weekend, the Irish Catholic Bishops published their latest pastoral letter, which is entitled ‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes?’. It seeks to explore what hospitality for migrant people means in contemporary Ireland.
A “pastoral letter” is an open letter written by the bishops as a group that seeks to guide and encourage the faithful on a particular, pressing topic. A (relatively) recent example would be the document on the housing crisis, entitled A Room at the Inn?
It is interesting, but not surprising, that the bishops do not mean for this letter to be just read by Catholics. They are explicit in their intention to “encourage Irish Christians and all people of good will” to take up the opportunity of offering hospitality.
This is definitely a theological document, but it is one that seeks to draw in listeners who might not share a belief in the Trinitarian God but do share an understanding of the importance of meeting the changes in our society as positively and constructively as possible.
“Migration” is a contentious topic in some parts of Irish society, so we thought it would be useful to offer a summary of the document in five parts:
1. Our Position is Shaped by Jesus
It might seem obvious, but this is an argument that rests entirely on the words of the Jesus. The parable of the Good Samaritan and the parable of the Sheep and Goats are the foundation of what the bishops have to say.
The famous Good Samaritan story is told in response to an expert in the law trying to test Jesus by asking who his neighbour was. The story that Jesus tells in response leaves no wriggle room for Christians. Every human being is our neighbour.
The parable of the Sheep and Goats is the final parable in Matthew’s Gospel. It famously depicts a last judgement scene where all the peoples of the world are divided into blessed (sheep) and forsaken (goats) groups. The dividing factor is not how right your beliefs were or how zealously you defended them but whether you put them into action. “I was a stranger and you invited me in” says Jesus.
The argument draws on social scientific data and is in close conversation with the church tradition. But it is inspired by Jesus and clearly aims to direct people to reflect Jesus’ compassion and mercy in the world.
2. The Irish Church is a Migrant Church
The letter is really strong on how there is no divide between “the church” and “migrants”. This is historically true – Patrick was not native. It is true in terms of Irish people going abroad as missionaries and as migrants and shaping churches around the world. But it is also true in the sense that the church and her institutions are already at the forefront of societal integration. Across the island, parishes and schools are among the most diverse communities you can hope to find.
The church is already leading on this issue. And benefitting from the new energy, new ideas, and new approaches that migrants have brought with them! Thus, when Pope Francis calls on us to have an eagerness to “encounter” the migrant, he is not asking us to take it on faith that it will be positive. This has already been the truth and the bishops are encouraging Christians to lean more into this.
3. Racism is a Heresy
The letter wisely refrains from getting caught up in the kind of contentious debates that proliferate on social media, that effectively cedes ground to racists by bogging things down in abstract definition. Instead, it simply re-states the established church teaching: “Racism is to be rejected”. It is the Christian’s obligation to “tangibly oppose racism wherever they find it”. And they are precise in how racists operate in public – seeking to “divide and to exploit anxieties by spreading fear, often through misinformation”. When you find movements engaged in that kind of activity, you know that what they stand for has nothing to do with Jesus’ gospel.
4. The Bishops Leave Policy to the Politicians
The letter was barely published when the predictable response came from certain quarters. Almost as if they didn’t read it, they complained on social media that this was a case of the bishops inappropriately stepping into the political sphere.
Of course, Christianity is always political. You can’t declare “Jesus is Lord” without making a political statement. But the bishops have been very careful in this letter to leave the questions that should be addressed by politicians and civil servants alone.
They make no particular policy recommendations, beyond specifying that “a considered, coherent, and practical immigration policy” contributes to the common good. They do not direct the faithful to vote in any particular way. They expect that “people of goodwill will differ on the best response to particular policy matters” and “encourage Christians to participate in such political debate to the fullest of their abilities and convictions.”
5. It Invites Action
One of the nice features of this document is the sidebars which account for the lived experiences of people who have migrated. And throughout the text, examples are offered which illustrate how parishes can really take up the invitation to hospitality. At the end of each section, a question for reflection is offered. The Vatican’s 20 action points for welcoming refugees and migrants is presented as good starting-point. From simple acts of hospitality to larger structural changes, the bishops remind Christians that their faith demands action, not just in times of crisis but as a regular part of their lives. It is through these small, daily encounters that the Church becomes a place of real welcome and belonging for all.
Conclusion
This letter is a timely reminder of the Catholic Church’s commitment to justice, hospitality, and human dignity. By drawing on the Irish people’s own migrant history and connecting it to biblical teachings, the bishops offer a compelling vision for how Irish Christians can respond to the challenges of immigration today. The letter is clear that while proposed political solutions may vary, the Christian obligation to welcome the stranger is non-negotiable. In this spirit, it invites every believer to move beyond words and into action, ensuring that Ireland remains a land of a hundred thousand welcomes, not just in name but in practice.
