Eucharist without borders

A strange development, in recent times, has been the rise of anti-migrant sentiment among a great many Catholics including many who would describe themselves as devout and loyal members of the church. Usually couched in language of being opposed to ‘uncontrolled mass, ‘illegal immigration’, ‘open borders’, ‘endangering our women and children’ and ‘civilisational erasure’, the view is presented as middle of the road and reasonable unlike that held by ‘woke’ or ‘radical left’.  These views – spoken or half-spoken are sometimes prefaced with ‘while I am not a racist…’

Even among Christians the polarising language around immigration is now commonplace online as well as offline.  Just listen to any conversation, now, in Ireland or elsewhere.  Sometimes, it seems to me that the more devout and the more ‘prolife’ a person is the more likely they are to be exercised about immigrants.

I generalise and, now, I risk jumping to judgmental conclusions

and sweeping generalisations. However, this is what I am hearing and seeing in recent years.

 I cannot recall support for such ideas or interest in such topics until relatively recent years. Though vociferously denied, negative attitudes about immigration are often correlated with racial prejudice.  It is assumed that people ‘not like us’ are more likely to engage in crime or cheat on the rules.   Clearly, prejudice against others whether by reason of race, colour or creed is not something new. However, a combination of factors including social media, polarising debates about race, identity and related matters has opened up fractures that would have been unrecognisable at least in Ireland only 10 years ago.  Against a world that seems more unstable, more violent at times and insecure, people are tempted to seek security in certainties about identity, race – and religion. 

Christians including Catholics need to reflect on the ‘signs of the times’ and deepen our understanding of what is happening and why. Clearly, questions to do with migration are complex, sometimes emotive and always contested.  Some claim that we are hard wired to trust more those who are ‘like us’ by virtue of looks, customs or behaviour. I question this view.  I believe that, despite our weaknesses and fears, most people retain a deep capacity for sympathy and solidarity when they come to know one another.  Our instincts are directed towards sympathy towards us once we come to know others and build a rapport.

A series of talks, discussions and fact-based public meetings on the issue of immigration in the light of the gospel and catholic social teaching would be helpful.  The Church upholds the principle of the dignity of all human beings as well as the common good of society based on rules including those relating to transnational migration.  To claim that immigration is ‘out of control’ in the current political climate is unfounded by the facts about migration as well as highly dangerous and inflammatory in a politically charged context.

In the Eucharist, Christ invites us to his banquet of love signalled in the stories and miracles connected to the multiplication of the loaves and the encounters with his disciples after the resurrection.

In our parishes and dioceses there are so many opportunities to greet, welcome, include and help those who come our way.  Rather than jump to immediate conclusions based on some stereotype of ‘them and us’ we are invited in the Gospel to show mercy, love and generosity towards the stranger – well summarised in the story of the Good Samaritan. We, too, were once strangers and wanderers.

In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus warns about judging people’s interior motivations or intentions:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

This, also applies to me. I have to share in the same Eucharist with others whose world views, values and opinions I very strongly disagree with.  That is Church for you as it was in the beginning, is now and will be this side of eternity.