Be our voice, African migrants ask Pope Francis

TWO letters from African migrants were delivered to the Pope by the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, at a meeting on Monday to discuss the migration emergency, Vatican News reports. Mamadou Malal Diallo, a Guinean, asked the Pope to be a voice for the immigrants, who have landed in the Canary Islands. The Pope would, he wrote, “be heard all over the world” and could help to “foster empathy”. The second letter came from a group of migrants, some of whom are minors, who live on the island of El Hierro, a frequent point of arrival. They wrote of being forced to leave home, in fear for their lives, and paid tribute to the islanders “who support us, help us, and encourage us to continue fighting to achieve our dreams”. After the meeting, President Clavijo told journalists that the Pope had been “attentive, interested, and strongly concerned about the situation”.

Joint appeal for calm after Roscrea protests

AN ANGLICAN and a Roman Catholic bishop have expressed concern in a joint statement at protests in Roscrea, in Co. Tipperary, at the arrival of people seeking emergency accommodation. The Bishop of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, and the RC Bishop of Killaloe, the Rt Revd Fintan Monahan, said in a joint statement on Wednesday: “The situation in Roscrea and in other places have many local complexities, with some genuine concerns both regarding resources for the new residents and for the amenities and services in the areas in question. However, we would appeal for calm, for a peaceful approach to the issues involved. Many have expressed concerns at the long-term effect the protests and unrest might have on the young children and families now resident in the facility.”