You won’t find such militancy in the Gospel
TWO recent fires at The Shannon Key West Hotel have caused significant upset to parishioners on both sides of the River Shannon in Rooskey.
It is all the more disturbing since it is suggested that the fires are a response to the proposed use of the hotel to house asylum seekers. Militant opposition, expressed in the destruction of property, is simply not consistent with the Gospel. Every civilised society is bound under international law to provide shelter for asylum seekers. Jesus teaches us that we will be judged, among other things, on how we respond to the needs of those who are without shelter.
The Catholic Church in Ireland has frequently expressed concern about the negative aspects of Direct Provision Centres where asylum seekers often live for many years without the possibility of a normal family life.
Those seeking asylum need their own personal and family space. They also need to be supported in becoming part of the wider community in which they live. We believe many of our parishioners would want to welcome refugees and offer them such support.
The well-being of local communities and of asylum seekers alike requires that the provision of facilities for those who have lost everything must be carefully planned in consultation with all the stakeholders including local schools and health services.
We join with the clergy and parishioners on both sides of the river in calling on all concerned, including the civil authorities, to engage in the kind of dialogue and consultative planning that will allow the best possible outcome, both for asylum seekers and for the local community. FRANCIS DUFFY, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and KEVIN DORAN, Bishop of Elphin.
Tackling plastic peril
MY daughter Jenevora and her husband Fergus are in one of 60 boats taking part in the Ocean Cruising Club’s rally in the Caribbean.
Arriving at what should be a tropical paradise, the San Blas islands off the Atlantic coast of Panama, they were horrified to find that some of the beaches were swamped with the scourge of plastic waste. The boats are collecting as much rubbish as possible because the local practice is to burn it, which is environmentally disastrous. They are delivering it to disposal sites at marinas on the mainland.
She told me the amount of waste and plastic washed up on the beaches is a devastating and unexpected sight. Much of the plastic has sailed itself across the Atlantic or Caribbean while some has been dumped on land and ended up floating into the sea.
The Coastal Clean-Up Campaign is encouraging sailors around the world to collect, recycle and report plastics removed from oceans and coasts where they cruise.
Some yachts are not helping the huge waste issue by offering the locals money to burn their rubbish. Much of this ends up being tipped into the ocean or left on the beach.
Jenevora came across several bin bags full of cans, bottles, cardboard and plastic dumped on a deserted island. She was appalled that some people can so easily forget how to take care of the ocean and the coastline they so proudly enjoy exploring. So she picked up the bags, sorted and washed the bottles and plastic and kept the waste on board until she reached a marina with recycling facilities. Waste can even help the local economy because the islanders can make money from recycling cans.
A few simple changes really can make a big difference. On her catamaran, Jenevora is filling widenecked plastic juice and milk bottles with smaller plastic rubbish, such as film wrappers, yoghurt pots and margarine tubs. When full, the top is put back on to contain the smell. Zip-lock bags that have been used to store cheese or fruit in the fridge are rinsed and recycled.
She also uses containers to keep food fresh, rather than cling film or foil.
I am proud that my daughter is helping to raise this issue and is offering solutions to the plastic problem.
NIGEL SWANN, Milford-on-Sea.
Spend it wisely
THIS government is spending the taxpayers’ money in the building of the Children’s Hospital without the tools and ability to track same. The time has come for the taxpayer to draw the line.
Simon Harris is spending taxpayers’ money as if there was no tomorrow. The taxpayers must get their money’s worth and yield the fullest possible benefit to the people. No more half measures. PAT O’CALLAGHAN,
Mallow, Co. Cork.
No mussels please
WE in Kinsale are objecting to a mussel farm on an amenity that is used for training school children to sail boats, for herring fishing and for shrimp boats and angling.
We have enough of these eyesores on the Bandon River.
These people will be looking for a salmon farm next which has the wild salmon nearly extinct at this stage.
This is another effort by these multi-nationals to gain huge profits by these farms.
They will never be welcome in Kinsale who will ruin the incomes of traditional fishermen. NOEL HARRINGTON,
Kinsale, Co. Cork.