The Archbishop of the Church of Ireland says it “stands firmly against racism”, following a spate of attacks on Indian people living in the country.
In July, two Indian men were brutally attacked and robbed, weeks after immigrating to Ireland to work in the tech sector. In Co Waterford, a six-year-old girl was punched and racially assaulted by older boys while playing in the street, according to the Irish Times. The girl had been born in Ireland, and told her mother she did not understand the boys' shouts of "go home".
Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson said the violence was “escalating alarmingly”.
“We in the Church of Ireland have warm relations with many Indian Christian traditions and respect them deeply,” he stated. “We also interact in friendly and fruitful ways through organisations like Dublin City Interfaith Forum with a wide range of people from other faith traditions from India and South Asia, for whom Ireland is their home. We want this to continue and to grow because it enriches everyone involved.”
He urged Christians to be vigilant to racism, adding: “I know many churches do this work instinctively”.
“It is essential that these people, irrespective of age or nationality, be safe and feel safe as together we build a community of hope, opportunity and equality,” the Archbishop said.