Attending a Church of Ireland conference on migration and community cohesion, Mr Kelly said the Church had a key role to play and that it could deliver in areas where Government may not be able to.
“We witness daily the increasing diversity amongst the people who live here. It is remarkable that Ireland – long a place of outward migration – is now experiencing inward migration,” the Mr Kelly told the Hard Gospel Conference.
“All new communities and migrant workers in our society are very welcome. Not only for the economic benefits, but also the contribution they make to our cultural life.
“Today’s conference is evidence that we are progressing towards an integrated community, but there are challenges along the way for the Church, Government and local communities.
“Too often the tendency is to talk about ‘increasing diversity’ in a purely abstract sense. It is all too easy to forget that these changes are experienced in a very real way,” said Mr Kelly.
“Diversity involves new people, living down the street, shopping at local shops, attending local schools and working alongside us and sharing our places of worship. It is at this level that the real level of integration must happen.
“It is important for us all to work together to promote good relations but Church and Government, in partnership, could provide the focused leadership.”
Junior Minister Kelly also told the conference that differences in society should be celebrated.
“The differences in our society must cease to be barriers. Difference must be recognised, appreciated and celebrated.
“It is important that we all act to make sure that intolerance, sectarianism, racism and violence have no place in our modern society.
“Every one of us has a responsibility and a role to play in creating a society that is at ease with the diversity of individuals and whole communities,” Mr Kelly added.
The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is currently working on bringing forward detailed proposals for a ‘programme of cohesion and integration for a shared and better future.’
The two-day conference focused on how the Church can contribute positively to issues of migration, integration and community cohesion.
Notes to Editors:
- The Church of Ireland Hard Gospel Project works to identify and tackle the challenges posed by sectarianism and migration to the Church on both sides of the border. Hard Gospel is an anti-sectarian project which was born out of the long-running Drumcree stand-off between the Orange Order in Portadown and the mainly nationalist residents of the town's Garvaghy Road. The project’s core aim is to strengthen the church for effective witness in a divided and changing society. Further information is available at www.hardgospel.net.
- Media Enquiries: Press Office, Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister 028 905 21840/21595. Outside office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
