Racism “is a grave sin” and Christians must “stand against it”, Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh warned after a week of violent unrest in Belfast sparked by the attempted beheading of a healthcare worker by a Sudanese man. Source: The Tablet.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Belfast city centre for an anti-racism rally It followed the burning of homes and vehicles by gangs of masked protestors at locations across Belfast.
The victim of the brutal stabbing, Stephen Ogilvie, 44, lost his left eye and suffered severe damage to the right eye as well as cuts to his face and back, the Belfast Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday.
Suspect Hadi Aloidid, 30, was refused bail after attending the court to face charges of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place and threatening to kill. He is due to appear in court again on July 8.
At Mass in Portadown and in Lurgan on Sunday, Archbishop Martin told the congregations, “In recent days, we have seen again how fear can be stirred up, how difference can be treated as threat, and how people can be targeted because of their race, background or identity”.
The Archbishop said he was “very conscious” of the fear and anxiety that many were feeling after the brutal knife attack. He condemned the “orchestrated violence against the homes and businesses of migrant communities in towns and cities” which followed the incident.
“On behalf of the many good people in our communities, I want to express our shock and horror at the hatred and violence that has been shown on our streets to friends and neighbours who have come from around the world to live, work and pray among us here in Ireland.”
He said Ireland has long been known as a place of friendliness and welcome and perhaps this was because migration has been a major feature of Irish history for generations.
Archbishop Martin highlighted Pope Leo and Pope Francis’s teaching that “to welcome the migrant is to welcome Christ himself”, who “is present in the sister or brother in need of our help”.
“We are also called to go beyond merely ‘welcoming’ newcomers. We are challenged by our faith to do everything we can to support and integrate new arrivals here and help them to become valued members of our communities who can participate in our parishes, and be our neighbours and friends.”
FULL STORY
Racism is a ‘grave sin’, warn Irish bishops amid Belfast violence (By Sarah Mac Donald, The Tablet)
Belfast knife attack victim lost eye, court hears, as suspect named (By David Crowe, Sydney Morning Herald)
