Inner city faith communities foster integration

There are almost fifty faith-based communities in north-east inner city Dublin, according to new research by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and ACET (Aids Care Education and Training) Ireland. The two groups who both work in the locality came together in this joint project to analyse, in particular, the role of faith-based communities in fostering the integration of migrants, refugees, and immigrants in the north-east inner-city.

The also wanted to find out how these faith communities bridged the cultural, linguistic, and social gaps they encountered and how they were able to assist migrants to make smoother transitions into Irish society whilst enriching the local community.

The fifty or so communities that were interviewed as part of the research comprised mostly of mainstream Protestant, Evangelical, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Pentecostal groupings. According to the recently published report of the JCFJ and ACET, researchers found “clear evidence that faith-based communities are part of the north-east inner-city’s social infrastructure.” It was also clear that these communities “support integration in twelve primary ways and they are trusted first ports of call, locally rooted, and active across generational, class, and ethnic divides.”

Dr Kevin Hargarden, social justice theologian with the JCFJ who coordinated the project, says that the research proves that faith-based communities are not just places of worship. Rather, “they are essential infrastructure for a diverse and flourishing Dublin. They are acting as crucial ‘first ports of call,’ ensuring new residents can integrate, bringing the best of their cultural identity into dialogue with contemporary Irish society. Ignoring these community assets means overlooking a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable residents.”

The research means that relevant recommendations can now be put to Dublin City Council so that they can assist the faith communities in their work with migrants and new arrivals to the north inner city. These recommendations include the creation of a faith-community register for the north east inner city, and the development of a three-year ‘Interfaith and Integration’ strategy. Click here to access a user-friendly display of the research » or click here to access or download the full report »